bloc

noun

ˈbläk 

1

a

: a temporary combination of parties in a legislative assembly

b

: a group of legislators who act together for some common purpose irrespective of party lines

2

a

: a combination of persons, groups, or nations forming a unit with a common interest or purpose

a bloc of voters

b

: a group of nations united by treaty or agreement for mutual support or joint action

3

: a quantity, number, or section of things dealt with as a unit : block

… seeking to buy and sell a large bloc of shares …

—Stuart Washington

Potvin's outstanding bloc of games during his rookie campaign occurred during the 1993 playoffs.

—Stan Fischler

Synonyms of bloc

• faction
• party
• coalition
• wing
• side

Examples of bloc in a Sentence

a voting bloc in the senate

a whole bloc of students got together to complain

Recent Examples on the Web

With support dispersed across multiple parties, no cohesive far-right bloc formed around Bolsonaro to shield him politically. — Cristina Buarque De Hollanda, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

The Administration has already undermined the agreement in many ways, experts tell TIME, citing the discord in February, when the bloc had to freeze the implementation of the agreement after Trump made additional tariff threats. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 9 July 2026

Border tensions with Cambodia took a toll on Thai energy drink maker Carabao Group, which sells in more than 40 countries but derives nearly 40% of its export revenue from the bloc referred to as CLMV, or Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. — Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Especially when—this kind of brings us full circle—women are arguably the most important voting bloc in the Democratic Party, right? — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, block

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing bloc

• en bloc
• sterling bloc

Rhymes for bloc

• balk
• baulk
• bock
• broch
• brock
• calk
• caulk
• chalk
• chock
• clock
• cock
• croc

Kids Definition

bloc

noun

ˈbläk 

: a combination of persons, groups, or nations united by treaty, agreement, or common interest

a bloc of voters

Etymology

French, literally, "block"