block
verb [ T ]
uk/blɒk/ usto decide officially to stop something from happening or continuing:
The federal government's fight to block a bankruptcy settlement was rejected by the Supreme Court.
block a bid/deal/merger The Federal Trade Commission said it planned to block the merger.
BANKING
if a bank blocks someone's account, they make it impossible for that person to remove money from it:
Accounts of all suspected terrorists have been blocked.
COMMUNICATIONS
to stop emails, text messages, phone calls, etc. from a particular person:
The new phone allows users to block messages from particular senders.
block
noun [ C ]
uk/blɒk/ us STOCK MARKET
a large number of shares that are sold by one organization at a particular time:
Deutsche Bank placed a block of six million shares at 781p.
The shares were sold on the Toronto Stock Exchange in a block trade.
ECONOMICS
an official decision to stop something happening or continuing:
a block on sth Lobbyists are calling for a block on bonuses to rail operators while their safety record is so poor.
put/remove a block on sth The government has put a block on all arms sales to the country.
PROPERTY
a building consisting of several apartments, offices, etc.:
There are four apartments in each block.
a block of office buildings
on the block US
available to buy:
She offers a beginner's guide to the newest pensions on the block.
A few more newspapers may go on the block before the end of the year.
lay your head/neck on the block
to risk a bad thing happening to you, for example getting a bad reputation, by doing something or helping someone:
Agency executives willing to lay their heads on the block in a pure results-driven agreement would be very brave.