blockade

Etymology

From block + -ade.

noun

1. The physical blocking or surrounding of a place, especially a port, in order to prevent commerce and traffic in or out.
   A six-day blockade from 28 May to 2 June saw NR [National Rail] straighten the track through the station, facilitating a linespeed increase from 60mph to 85mph over a 4km stretch. 2019 October, Philip Sherratt, “Midland Main Line upgrade presses on”, in Modern Railways, page 62
2. (by extension) Any form of formal isolation or inhibition of something, especially with the force of law or arms.
3. (nautical) The ships or other forces used to effect a naval blockade.
4. (biology, medicine) Inhibition of the activity (function) of chemical messengers or their receptors, such as (often) receptor antagonism.
   beta-blockade
5. (chess) Preventing an opponent's pawn moving by placing a piece in front of it.

verb

1. (transitive) To create a blockade against.
   On January 5 1969, residents blockaded the level crossing at Newcastleton, ahead of the final passenger train. It was only after the then-local MP David (now Lord) Steel had alighted from the St Pancras-bound Sleeper service and negotiated their dispersal (in return for the release without charge of one of the protest organisers, Reverend Brydon Maben) that the train was allowed on its way. May 6 2020, Graeme Pickering, “Borders Railway: time for the next step”, in Rail, page 52