Blockade

A blockade is the act of obstructing or preventing access to a particular place, especially a port, harbor, or country, usually by military force.

It can also refer to an obstruction or impediment that prevents progress or activity of any kind. Blockades are often employed during wartime to cut off supplies and communication, aiming to weaken the enemy.

Furthermore, a blockade can be legally declared, requiring neutral parties to respect its existence and avoid violation.

Symbolically, a blockade can represent any form of deliberate hindrance or barrier to advancement.

Blockade meaning with examples

• During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the United States implemented a naval blockade around Cuba to prevent the Soviet Union from delivering further offensive weapons, escalating the tensions of the Cold War significantly.
• The protesters formed a human blockade across the main entrance to the factory, preventing workers from entering and demanding a meeting with management regarding unsafe working conditions.
• The economic blockade imposed on the country by international organizations led to widespread shortages of essential goods and a severe decline in the living standards of the citizens.
• The council used a procedural blockade to prevent the vote on the controversial planning proposal from proceeding as it lacked the necessary support and would likely have been defeated.