blockage
A blockage is a physical or abstract obstruction that prevents flow, movement, or progress through a passage, system, or process. It is commonly used to describe stops in pipes, blood vessels, or even mental hurdles that prevent creative thinking.
Examples
3 of 5The plumber used a special tool to clear the blockage in the kitchen drain.
The plumber used a special tool to remove the obstruction in the kitchen drain.
The patient underwent surgery to remove a life-threatening arterial blockage.
The patient had an operation to take out a dangerous obstruction in the artery.
I've got a total blockage right now and can't think of a single thing to write.
I have a complete mental stop right now and cannot think of anything to write.
Synonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'block' that has 'aged' and gotten stuck in a pipe—that is a 'block-age'.
Quick Quiz
The doctor explained that the chest pain was caused by a minor ______ in one of the valves.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blockage
Examples
The plumber used a special tool to clear the blockage in the kitchen drain.
everydayThe plumber used a special tool to remove the obstruction in the kitchen drain.
The patient underwent surgery to remove a life-threatening arterial blockage.
formalThe patient had an operation to take out a dangerous obstruction in the artery.
I've got a total blockage right now and can't think of a single thing to write.
informalI have a complete mental stop right now and cannot think of anything to write.
Academic research suggests that information blockage within organizations can lead to inefficiency.
academicScholarly studies show that stopping the flow of information in companies causes poor performance.
The strike at the port caused a significant blockage in our international supply chain.
businessThe protest at the harbor created a major disruption in our global distribution network.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
writer's blockage
the condition of being unable to produce new work
road blockage
an obstruction on a street preventing traffic
emotional blockage
a psychological barrier to expressing feelings
Often Confused With
A 'block' is often the physical object causing the stop, whereas 'blockage' is the state or the specific instance of being obstructed.
Congestion refers to general overcrowding or slow movement, while a blockage is a specific point of total obstruction.
Usage Notes
Use 'blockage' when referring to a specific point where flow is stopped (like a pipe or artery). It is also frequently used in psychology or arts as 'mental' or 'writer's' blockage to describe a lack of flow in ideas.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use the word 'block' when 'blockage' is more appropriate to describe the result of an obstruction. For example, saying 'there is a block in the pipe' is common, but 'blockage' is technically more accurate for the condition.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'block' that has 'aged' and gotten stuck in a pipe—that is a 'block-age'.
Word Origin
Derived from the verb 'block' (from Middle Dutch 'bloc' meaning trunk of a tree) and the suffix '-age', which indicates a state or result of an action.
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
The doctor explained that the chest pain was caused by a minor ______ in one of the valves.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blockage
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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