Word
blockage
Phoneticsblock·age, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɫɑkɪdʒ/
UK/blˈɒkɪdʒ/
Definition
n. a situation where something is stopped or blocked, especially in a pipe or a body part. It prevents things from moving through normally.
n. an obstruction or blockage that prevents the normal passage of a substance or object. Often used in medical contexts to describe the interruption of blood flow or the clogging of a duct.
Examples
“The plumber found a blockage in the kitchen drain.”
“Doctors performed surgery to clear the blockage in the patient's artery and restore blood flow to the leg.”
“The sudden blockage of the river caused significant flooding in the valley, forcing local authorities to open emergency spillways to prevent further damage to the surrounding farmland.”
Examples
simple
“The plumber found a blockage in the kitchen drain.”
contextual
“Doctors performed surgery to clear the blockage in the patient's artery and restore blood flow to the leg.”
complex
“The sudden blockage of the river caused significant flooding in the valley, forcing local authorities to open emergency spillways to prevent further damage to the surrounding farmland.”
Real-World Examples
“The president declared a state of emergency in June, and the country’s Congress approved the use of the military to clear the blockages.” Etymology
From block + -age.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/blockage