bloc
n. countablen. a group of countries or political parties that work together because they have the same goals. They usually join together to vote as one or to trade more easily.
n. a combination of persons, groups, or nations forming a unit with a common interest or purpose. Often used in geopolitical contexts to describe alliances that act collectively in international voting or trade.
The trade bloc agreed to lower taxes on imported goods.
Several nations formed a powerful voting bloc to influence the outcome of the climate summit.
The emergence of a new economic bloc in the region has significantly shifted the balance of power, forcing established markets to renegotiate their long-standing trade agreements.
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.
Commonly paired with 'voting', 'trade', or 'political'.
the eastern blockthe eastern blocWhile 'block' refers to a solid object or a street section, 'bloc' is the specific spelling for a political or interest group.