bloc

noun

\ ˈbläk

Definition of bloc

1a : a temporary combination of parties in a legislative assembly

b : a group of legislators who act together for some common purpose irrespective of party lines

2a : a combination of persons, groups, or nations forming a unit with a common interest or purpose a bloc of voters

b : a group of nations united by treaty or agreement for mutual support or joint action

3 : a quantity, number, or section of things dealt with as a unit : block … seeking to buy and sell a large bloc of shares …— Stuart Washington Potvin's outstanding bloc of games during his rookie campaign occurred during the 1993 playoffs.— Stan Fischler

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about bloc

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Examples of bloc in a Sentence

a voting bloc in the senate a whole bloc of students got together to complain

Recent Examples on the Web

The Peronist revival Mauricio Macri made a surprising selection for his running-mate in Argentina’s presidential election in October: Miguel Ángel Pichetto, who leads the Peronist bloc in the senate. — The Economist, "Politics this week," 14 June 2019 The conservative bloc on the Supreme Court was hand-picked at the behest of the Federalist Society chiefly for their accommodating views on executive power. — Ed Burmila, The New Republic, "If Trump wanted to give himself sweeping new powers, could anyone stop him?," 13 June 2019 The lawsuit filed Monday says that because the state’s seven Supreme Court justices are elected statewide, instead of by district, the white voting bloc overpowers the votes of black Arkansas residents. — USA TODAY, "Pride pickup, sphinx on move, Tony Stark’s cabin: News from around our 50 states," 13 June 2019 Johnson, a former UK foreign secretary and a high-profile face of the campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, was accused of falsely stating that Britain's membership of the bloc cost £350 million ($442 million) a week. — Bianca Britton, CNN, "Boris Johnson, favorite to be Britain's next PM, wins court challenge over alleged Brexit lies," 7 June 2019 The deepest boreholes ever drilled—in a ludicrous geologic competition between NATO countries and the Soviet bloc during the Cold War—reached depths of just 7 miles. — Marcia Bjornerud, WSJ, "‘Underland’ Review: What Lives Beneath," 7 June 2019 The introduction of sanctions was pushed by the Dutch and British, who have blamed Russia for some recent cyberattacks on the bloc. — Laurence Norman, WSJ, "Foreign Cyberattackers Face Sanctions in EU," 17 May 2019 But the improved standing of the Hezbollah bloc in Parliament may lead to greater participation in the next government. — Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, "Hezbollah calls Lebanon election gains 'great victory'," 7 May 2018 That put him at odds with Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain, who is pushing a business-friendly approach that would preserve many economic ties to the bloc. — Matthew Rosenberg, New York Times, "In Brexit, Trump Finds a British Reflection of His Own Political Rise," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bloc.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.