blockade
an action that stops people or goods from going into or out of a place
an organized action, often military or political, that prevents people, vehicles, ships, goods, or supplies from entering or leaving a place
to stop people or things from going into or out of a place
to block or surround a place, road, port, or entrance so that people, vehicles, or goods cannot enter or leave
a barrier that stops people or vehicles from passing
a line or barrier made of people, vehicles, ships, or objects that is placed to stop passage through a road, entrance, or area
- Base: blockade
- Plural: blockades
- Base: blockade
- 3rd Person Singular: blockades
- Present Participle: blockading
- Past: blockaded
blockade runner
1person or vehicle evading blockade
someone or something that tries to pass through a blockade
- The old cargo ship was used as a blockade runner during the war.
- Blockade runners risked capture to bring supplies into the city.
- The film follows a blockade runner carrying medicine across the coast.
- The ship was a blockade runner.
break a blockade
1force through a blockade
to get through a blockade or stop it from working
- The convoy broke the blockade and delivered food to the town.
- Opposition leaders urged supporters to break the blockade at the border crossing.
- New supply routes helped break the blockade.
- The trucks broke the blockade and entered the city.
economic blockade
1trade and supply cutoff
a blockade that stops trade or important supplies
- The economic blockade caused shortages of fuel and medicine.
- Several countries condemned the economic blockade as harmful to civilians.
- The government said the economic blockade was meant to force a change in policy.
- The economic blockade stopped many goods from entering the country.
impose a blockade
1officially start a blockade
to start stopping people or goods from entering or leaving a place
- The council voted to impose a blockade on the island.
- Officials threatened to impose a blockade if the weapons shipments continued.
- The army imposed a blockade around the city.
- The government imposed a blockade on the port.
lift a blockade
1end a blockade
to stop a blockade so people or goods can move again
- Negotiators called on both sides to lift the blockade immediately.
- The blockade was lifted after an agreement on aid deliveries.
- Residents celebrated when the authorities finally lifted the blockade.
- They lifted the blockade, and trucks entered the city again.
naval blockade
1blockade by warships
a blockade made by ships or naval forces
- The naval blockade stopped fuel tankers from reaching the harbor.
- International law places limits on when a naval blockade can be used.
- The country responded by sending ships to challenge the naval blockade.
- A naval blockade stopped ships from entering the port.
run a blockade
1get past a blockade
to try to get through a blockade
- The ship tried to run the blockade under cover of darkness.
- Smugglers used small boats to run the blockade.
- Several aid convoys attempted to run a blockade and reach the town.
- The boat tried to run the blockade at night.
under blockade
1affected by a blockade
being blocked so people or goods cannot easily enter or leave
- The port has been under blockade since last month.
- Hospitals struggled to get supplies while the region remained under blockade.
- For years, the city lived under blockade.
- The town was under blockade for two weeks.