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.
That’s where he learned how to block out all distractions and focus on his goal.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025
There’s a long, long way to go, and the Forrests are going to have to keep their doors and windows closed for months to block out construction noise and dust.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025
Drawing the curtains to block out a warm summer's afternoon, I did everything I could to avoid being sick for the 10th time that day and wondered when I'd feel myself again.
From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025
They simply block out anything they don’t like.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 5, 2025
I’d thrown on my hoodie over my shirt so I could block out the world and not even see if people were looking at me.
From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely
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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.