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

The Israeli blockage on humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip has caused widespread malnutrition and conditions likely to lead to famine, according to the U.N. and other international aid organizations. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 23 May 2025

Transient ischemic stroke is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that can mimic a stroke, causing symptoms like numbness, weakness, or confusion that can last anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 14 May 2025

For example, trauma or injury in our life has likely left its signature in the form of tension or blockage. —Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

The blockage fees, proposed at $20 per day per metered parking space, would encourage developers whose construction projects eliminate parking spots to finish those projects more quickly, city officials said. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 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