bloc

American  

[blok] / blɒk /

noun

1. a group of persons, businesses, etc., united for a particular purpose.

2. a group of legislators, usually of both major political parties, who vote together for some particular interest.

   the farm bloc.

3. a group of nations that share common interests and usually act in concert in international affairs.

   the Soviet bloc.

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bloc British  

/ blɒk /

noun

1. a group of people or countries combined by a common interest or aim

   the Soviet bloc

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Etymology

Origin of bloc

From French, dating back to 1900–05; block

Example Sentences

The prime minister told a news conference he would use a summit with the EU later this year to seek more cooperation with the bloc on the economy and security.

From BBC

Joblessness broadly held steady across the bloc, slightly up in Italy, marginally down in Spain, while unchanged in France and Germany.

From The Wall Street Journal

South Lhonak Lake was first captured by a covert CIA satellite surveillance program designed to focus on the Soviet bloc.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kwankwaso brings a fresh appeal to the coalition and has a large support base in the mainly Muslim northern Nigeria, a key voting bloc in national elections.

From BBC

Lawmakers also strengthened a suspension clause that would allow the trading bloc to suspend the deal if the U.S. were to impose additional tariffs or threaten member states’ “territorial integrity.”

From Barron's

Related Words

• association
• faction