blockades

Noun

blockade (plural blockades)

1. The physical blocking or surrounding of a place, especially a port, in order to prevent commerce and traffic in or out.
   • A six-day blockade from 28 May to 2 June saw NR [National Rail] straighten the track through the station, facilitating a linespeed increase from 60mph to 85mph over a 4km stretch.2019 October, Philip Sherratt, “Midland Main Line upgrade presses on”, in Modern Railways, page 62
2. (broadly) Any form of formal isolation or inhibition of something, especially with the force of law or arms.
   • In the mean time, Francesca, separated from Madame de Mercœur, was hidden by a group around the Queen of Sweden. With the wall on one side, and a human blockade on the other, she was left at full leisure to meditate on a vow made at the first announcement of the lottery, namely, that whatever might...1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XXII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 265
3. The ships or other forces used to effect a naval blockade.
4. Inhibition of the activity (function) of chemical messengers or their receptors, such as (often) receptor antagonism.
   • beta-blockade

   Synonyms:

   antagonism, receptor antagonism

5. The act of preventing an opponent's pawn moving by placing a piece in front of it.
6. Synonym of prime.

   Synonyms:

   prime

See all 7 meanings of blockade