1. Blocking entrance to and exit from seaports and harbours
   "the blockading ships prevented delivery of munitions"

1. Impose a blockade on
   "The navy blockaded the port";
   - seal off
    
2. Hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
   "His brother blockaded him at every turn";
   - obstruct, block, hinder, stymie, stymy [rare], embarrass [archaic]
    
3. Render unsuitable for passage
   "blockade the streets";
   - barricade, block, stop, block off, block up, bar
    
4. Obstruct access to
   "Protesters blockaded the entrance to the building";
   - block off

See also: preventative, preventive

Type of: beleaguer, besiege, block, circumvent, close up, forbid, foreclose, forestall, hem in, impede, jam, obstruct, obturate, occlude, preclude, prevent, siege, surround

Encyclopedia: Blockading