blockade
organized stoppage of access
an action that stops people or goods from going into or out of a place
a blockade of/on/around [place]; a blockade against [country/group]
- The navy maintained a blockade of the port for several weeks.
- Aid groups warned that the blockade was preventing food and medicine from reaching civilians.
- The government announced a blockade around the rebel-held city.
- The blockade stopped ships from entering the harbor.
- Food became scarce during the blockade.
block access by force
to stop people or things from going into or out of a place
[people/forces] blockade [place/road/port/entrance]
- Protesters blockaded the main road into the capital.
- The navy blockaded the island to stop weapons from being delivered.
- Workers blockaded the factory gates during the strike.
- The soldiers blockaded the bridge.
- Farmers blockaded the road with tractors.
barrier blocking a route
a barrier that stops people or vehicles from passing
a blockade at/across [place/road/entrance]
- Police removed the blockade from the entrance to the building.
- A line of trucks formed a blockade across the highway.
- The marchers created a human blockade outside the office.
- The blockade stopped cars from passing.
- There was a blockade at the gate.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.