What does "bloc" mean?

1. (international alliance) a group of countries that join together for trade or political reasons. 2. (political or voting group) a group of people or politicians who vote the same way to get what they want.

How do you use "bloc"?

Often used with modifiers like 'trading', 'economic', or 'political'. Frequently appears in the phrase 'voting bloc'.

bloc

US //ˈbɫɑk// UK //blˈɒk// bloc

1 international alliance (n.)
C1 Advanced Academic Formal Law

a group of countries that join together for trade or political reasons.

a group of nations united by a common interest or a formal treaty, often acting as a single unit in international trade or diplomacy.

Example

The European Union is a powerful trading bloc that influences global markets.

Example

Member states within the regional trading bloc negotiated a unified tariff structure to protect domestic industries from external competition.

Usage

Often used with modifiers like 'trading', 'economic', or 'political'.
2 political or voting group (n.)
C1 Advanced Academic Formal Politics

a group of people or politicians who vote the same way to get what they want.

a collection of individuals, parties, or legislators who coordinate their voting behaviour to exert collective influence.

Example

The conservative bloc in parliament refused to support the new environmental law.

Example

The legislative bloc remained disciplined during the final reading, ensuring the controversial bill passed despite significant public protest.

Usage

Frequently appears in the phrase 'voting bloc'.

Origin

Borrowed from French bloc (“group, block”), ultimately of Old Dutch origin, from Frankish or Proto-West Germanic blokk, from Proto-Germanic blukką (“beam, log”). Doublet of block.