What does "blockade" mean?

1. (military/naval isolation) the use of ships or soldiers to block a port or city so that nothing can go in or out. 2. (medical/biological inhibition) the act of stopping a chemical or nerve signal from working in the body.

How do you use "blockade"?

Often used with the verbs 'impose', 'lift', or 'break'. Commonly appears in the context of 'receptor blockade' or 'nerve blockade'.

blockade

US //ˌbɫɑˈkeɪd// UK //blɒkˈeɪd// block·ade

1 military/naval isolation (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the use of ships or soldiers to block a port or city so that nothing can go in or out.

the physical isolation of a location, particularly a port, by hostile forces to prevent the passage of commerce and supplies.

Example

The navy set up a blockade to stop supplies from reaching the enemy port.

Example

The government maintained a strict naval blockade for several months, effectively crippling the city's economy by preventing the export of local goods.

Usage

Often used with the verbs 'impose', 'lift', or 'break'.
2 medical/biological inhibition (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Medicine

the act of stopping a chemical or nerve signal from working in the body.

the inhibition of the physiological activity of a chemical messenger or its receptor, often through the use of drugs.

Example

The doctor used a nerve blockade to stop the patient from feeling pain during the procedure.

Example

The pharmacological blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors is a standard treatment for managing certain cardiovascular conditions.

Usage

Commonly appears in the context of 'receptor blockade' or 'nerve blockade'.
- inhibition
- suppression
- activation
- stimulation

Origin

From block + -ade, probably after Dutch blocquade (now blokkade) or German Blockade.