English Reference
Verb

unblock

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate UK /ʌnblˈɒk/ un·block UK spelling unblocks

v.to remove something that is stopping a flow of liquid, air, or traffic. It can also mean to allow a person or website to be used again after being blocked.

v.to remove an obstruction from a passage or channel, or to restore access to a previously restricted resource. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

You need to unblock the drain to stop the water from spilling.

CONTEXTUAL

The technician had to unblock the server to allow the employees to access the internal database again.

COMPLEX

After the heavy snowfall, the city crews worked through the night to unblock the main thoroughfare and ensure that emergency vehicles could reach the hospital without delay.


From un- + block.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated