blockage

noun

block·​age ˈblä-kij 

: an act or instance of obstructing : the state of being blocked

a blockage in a coronary artery

Examples of blockage in a Sentence

He had surgery to open up blockages in his arteries.

trying to prevent blockage of the artery

Recent Examples on the Web

Clearing a minor blockage is relatively easy and can be handled by the average homeowner or DIYer. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2025

The wrench manually turns the disposal blades and can help free it from any blockages. —Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025

This type can happen because of blood clots that block blood vessels or plaques causing blockages by building up in the vessels. —Katia Hetter, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025

Microplastics in the bloodstream may cause blockages the brain and affect our brain functioning and behavior, according to recent research. —Hatty Willmoth, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1724, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for blockage

• dockage
• lockage

Kids Definition

blockage

noun

block·​age ˈbläk-ij 

: an act or instance of blocking : the state of being blocked

a blockage in an artery

Medical Definition

blockage

noun

block·​age ˈbläk-ij 

: the action of blocking or the state of being blocked: as

a

: blockade sense 2

b

: internal resistance to understanding a communicated idea, to learning new material, or to adopting a new mode of response because of existing habitual ways of thinking, perceiving, and acting compare blocking

Legal Definition

blockage

noun

block·​age

: the condition of a large block of items of property (as shares of stock) that requires special valuation for purposes of estate and gift tax because the value of the items sold as a block differs from their value if sold individually