bloc
Americannoun
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a group of persons, businesses, etc., united for a particular purpose.
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a group of legislators, usually of both major political parties, who vote together for some particular interest.
the farm bloc.
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a group of nations that share common interests and usually act in concert in international affairs.
the Soviet bloc.
noun
Etymology
Origin of bloc
From French, dating back to 1900–05; block
Explanation
A group that unites, especially for a political or economic purpose, is a bloc. The European Union is a bloc of countries that share common economic, social, and security policies. A trade or political bloc is formed when countries (or states) unite around a common goal. The E.U., for example, sometimes operates almost as a single nation, especially when it comes to trading goods and services with other countries around the world. A voting bloc is a category of voters who tend to cast their ballots the same way; the "religious right" is one example of a voting bloc. The term comes from the French bloc, or "group."
Vocabulary lists containing bloc
Human Geography - Middle School
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Human Geography - High School
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Eastern Europe - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Her father’s mono bloc chair hasn’t moved from the spot it was last in since he passed.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026
The victory paves the way for closer ties with the European Union, potentially unfreezing 17 billion euros in bloc funds.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
The reason is that, after 16 years under his governance, Hungarians still appear to be just as “European” in outlook as the rest of the bloc.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has downplayed reports that his invitation to the forthcoming G7 summit in France has been withdrawn, saying non-attendance by a country outside the bloc should surprise no-one.
From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026
Soon, however, he seized the reins of the affair as leader of the regents bloc pressing for dismissal of nonsigners.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
