blockade

1 :  the isolation by a warring nation of an enemy area (such as a harbor) by troops or warships to prevent passage of persons or supplies; broadly :  a restrictive measure designed to obstruct the commerce and communications of an unfriendly nation

2 :  something that blocks

3 :  interruption of normal physiological function (such as transmission of nerve impulses) of a cellular receptor, tissue, or organ; also :  inhibition of a physiologically active substance (such as a hormone)

:  to close off a place to prevent the coming in or going out of people or supplies

:  the closing off of a place (as by warships) to prevent the coming in or going out of people or supplies

1a:  interruption of normal physiological function (as transmission of nerve impulses) of a cellular receptor, tissue, or organb:  inhibition of a physiologically active substance (as a hormone)

2:  the process of reducing the phagocytic capabilities of the mononuclear phagocyte system by loading it with harmless material (as India ink or lampblack) which engages its cells in phagocytosis and prevents them from reacting to new antigenic material—compare blocking antibody

:  to subject to blockade