gridlock

1 of 2

noun

grid·​lock ˈgrid-ˌläk 

1

: a traffic jam in which a grid of intersecting streets is so completely congested that no vehicular movement is possible

2

: a situation resembling gridlock (as in congestion or lack of movement)

political gridlock

gridlock

2 of 2

verb

gridlocked; gridlocking; gridlocks

transitive + intransitive

: to cause to be in a state or situation in which movement or progress is stopped completely : to produce gridlock in or of

streets gridlocked by heavy traffic

a government gridlocked by partisan rancor

Neighbors of the proposed site near the intersection … told commissioners they were concerned the school would bring hundreds of additional cars to the area, further gridlocking already bumper-to-bumper traffic.

—Kyra Gurney

Almost immediately, heavy rains had gridlocked the narrow supply trail from Siboney on the coast.

—Michael Blow

also : to experience gridlock

This statement came while Congress gridlocked yet again on a campaign finance measure.

—David Corn

Synonyms of gridlock

Noun

• halt
• deadlock
• impasse
• standstill

Examples of gridlock in a Sentence

Noun

An accident caused gridlock at rush hour yesterday.

We were caught in a gridlock.

Disagreements about funding have caused legislative gridlock in Congress.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Analysts say this gridlock makes comprehensive reforms—such as overhauling the tax code, adjusting entitlement programs, or adopting binding budget rules—politically difficult even as the math grows more unforgiving. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026

The disastrous response to that icy gridlock turned Atlanta into a laughingstock and transformed how leaders prepare for severe weather. —Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Verb

Waymo's vehicles contributed to gridlock during storms and widespread power outages in San Francisco last month. —Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026

Long lines of vehicles gridlock Indiana 49 as far north as U.S. 12 as visitors from Northwest Indiana and nearby states journey to the park. —Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1980, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1981, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gridlock

• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• flintlock
• goshawk