a large solid piece of hard material, especially rock, stone, or wood, typically with flat surfaces on each side

a block of marble

a large single building subdivided into separate rooms, flats, or offices

a block of flats

a large quantity or allocation of things regarded as a unit

a block of shares

final examinations will be taken in a block at the end of the course

an obstacle to the normal progress or functioning of something

substantial demands for time off may constitute a block to career advancement

an emotional block

a flat area of something, especially a solid area of colour

cover the eyelid with a neutral block ofcolour

a pulley or system of pulleys mounted in a case

a simple pulley block

make the movement or flow in (a passage, pipe, road, etc.) difficult or impossible

the narrow roads were blocked by cars

block up the holes with sticky tape

impress text or a design on (a book cover)

shape or reshape (a hat) on a mould

nobody cleans and blocks old felt hats any more

design or plan the movements of actors on a stage or movie set