blockage

noun

block·​age ˈblä-kij 

: an act or instance of obstructing : the state of being blocked

a blockage in a coronary artery

Examples of blockage in a Sentence

He had surgery to open up blockages in his arteries.

trying to prevent blockage of the artery

Recent Examples on the Web

These tests allow your healthcare provider to see your digestive tract and detect any blockages. —Cristina Mutchler, Health, 8 Apr. 2025

Tensions rise during the full moon in Libra (April 12), shaking up your fourth house of home, family and emotional foundations, urging you to confront emotional blockages around home and family. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025

When the cause is treatable — like a drug overdose or temporary heart blockage — treatment focuses on preventing recurrence through medication, surgery or lifestyle changes. —Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

With a simple swipe, the blockage cleared, and the water drained instantly. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1724, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for blockage

• dockage
• lockage

Kids Definition

blockage

noun

block·​age ˈbläk-ij 

: an act or instance of blocking : the state of being blocked

a blockage in an artery

Medical Definition

blockage

noun

block·​age ˈbläk-ij 

: the action of blocking or the state of being blocked: as

a

: blockade sense 2

b

: internal resistance to understanding a communicated idea, to learning new material, or to adopting a new mode of response because of existing habitual ways of thinking, perceiving, and acting compare blocking

Legal Definition

blockage

noun

block·​age

: the condition of a large block of items of property (as shares of stock) that requires special valuation for purposes of estate and gift tax because the value of the items sold as a block differs from their value if sold individually