blockade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blockade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the act of obstructing or sealing off a place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving, often in a military or political context. Example: "The navy decided to impose a blockade on the enemy's ports to cut off their supply lines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The difficult is that the blockade issue is closely aligned with the political demands being made by Hamas, and the political and security demands being made by Israel".

The Guardian

In the audience was the "candy bomber" Gail Halvorsen, now 92, who, as an American airforce pilot, dropped sweets to children during the 1948-49 Berlin airlift, which kept the city's population alive during the Soviet blockade and which became the strongest symbol of US-German friendship.

The Guardian

Although Washington lifted restrictions on remittances and travel for Cuban Americans, US citizens still cannot visit the Caribbean island and the trade blockade is still in place.

The Guardian

Haniyeh said in a televised speech that "we cannot go back, we cannot go back to the silent death" of the blockade, the AP reports.

The Guardian

This time the approach is to simply blockade all known cell receptors that the virus latches onto.

The Guardian

She conceded that persuading Israel to lift its eight-year blockade of the Gaza strip, after Hamas vowed to continue fighting unless Israel agreed to this, was extremely difficult.

The Guardian

We were dying slowly before the war, because of the tough embargo imposed on Gaza and the blockade of all the crossings.

The Guardian

The Islamist movement wants Israel to agree to an end to its blockade of Gaza and the release of scores of prisoners before it will agree to halt its attacks.

The Guardian

A statement released by the Mexican attorney general's office on Monday, before the results of the tests were known, appeared to rule out a case of mistaken identity despite the fact that the parents had been vocally questioning the operation and had organised a blockade of a motorway outside Guanajuato accompanied by fellow pupils at their daughter's school.

The Guardian

But on Friday, following appeals from religious leaders as well as foreign governments to avoid a bloodbath, the interim government said it would blockade the camps but not storm them.

The Guardian

"We have been pointing out time and time again the impact that the blockade is having on the economy of Gaza," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "blockade", be specific about what is being blocked (e.g., trade, movement, information) and the entity imposing it.

Common error

Avoid using "blockade" loosely to describe any form of restriction. A "blockade" typically involves a physical barrier or formal obstruction enforced by an authority.

Linguistic Context

The word "blockade" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the act of obstructing access to a place or region. It can also function as a verb, meaning to impose such an obstruction. Ludwig AI validates this versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "blockade" is a commonly used and grammatically correct word, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, functioning both as a noun and a verb to describe the act of obstructing access to a specific area. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it signifies enforced isolation or restriction. To avoid misinterpretations, specify what's being blocked and who is imposing it. Alternatives like "embargo" or "siege" may suit specific contexts. Using "blockade" accurately enhances clarity and precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

naval blockade

Specifically refers to the use of naval forces to prevent ships from entering or leaving a port or region.

embargo

Refers specifically to a government-imposed ban on trade with a particular country or of particular products, highlighting the economic restriction aspect.

economic sanctions

Focuses on the economic penalties imposed on a country to force a change in policy.

siege

Implies a military operation where an area is surrounded and cut off to force a surrender, focusing on the military containment aspect.

cordon

Suggests a line of people or vehicles preventing access to an area, highlighting the physical barrier aspect.

isolation

Emphasizes the state of being separated or cut off from others, focusing on the resulting condition.

obstruction

Indicates the act of hindering or blocking progress or movement, focusing on the impediment aspect.

closure

Refers to the act of shutting down or preventing access to a place or service, highlighting the denial of access.

interdiction

Suggests the act of prohibiting or preventing something, especially the movement of goods, highlighting the prohibition aspect.

containment

Emphasizes keeping something within certain limits or boundaries, focusing on the restriction of movement.

FAQs

How is "blockade" used in a sentence?

You can use "blockade" to describe the act of obstructing a port or region to prevent entry or exit, as in "The navy established a "naval blockade" of the enemy coastline".

What are some alternatives to using "blockade"?

Depending on the context, you could use "embargo", "siege", or "cordon" as alternatives to "blockade".

What's the difference between "blockade" and "embargo"?

"Blockade" usually implies a physical obstruction, often military, while "embargo" refers to a legal or economic ban on trade.

Is it correct to say "economic blockade"?

Yes, "economic blockade" is a valid term. It refers to measures designed to isolate a country economically, though it may not always involve a physical "naval blockade".