block out

verb

blocked out; blocking out; blocks out
1
: to hide or cover something so that it cannot be seen, felt, or heard
Clouds blocked out the sun.
We put on music to block out the sound of the traffic.
2
: to force oneself not to think about (something)
He tried to block the event out.
3
: to ignore (something)
blocking out distractions

Examples of block out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Matching silk sleep masks help block out light, and silk bonnets are designed to help protect hair from breakage and frizz while locking in natural oils. ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026 It’s made from 100 percent mulberry silk, is machine washable, and its larger shape helps to block out light completely. Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2026 The concept is basically like a solar eclipse; a coronagraph blocks out the glare of a star such that anything around that star can come into focus. Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Besides a wide-field infrared camera that matches Hubble’s sensitivity but is 1,000 times faster, Roman holds an instrument to block out starlight. Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for block out

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Block out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/block%20out. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster