block out
Britishverb
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to plan or describe (something) in a general fashion
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to prevent the entry or consideration of (something)
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photog printing to mask part of (a negative), in order that light may not pass through it
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.
“We can’t just block out one sector of your constituents,” Garcia told the board.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026
Each doll comes with a pink fidget spinner to reduce stress and improve focus, and noise-cancelling headphones to block out background sounds and therefore limit sensory overload.
From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026
Many residents had their windows sealed to block out the noise and dust of the construction work.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025
They simply block out anything they don’t like.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 5, 2025
I block out most of the stuff about the tournament that there’s absolutely no way I’m going to.
From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden
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.
