The physical blocking or surrounding of a place, especially aport, in order topreventcommerce andtraffic in or out.
2019 October, Philip Sherratt, “Midland Main Line upgrade presses on”, inModern Railways, page62:
A six-dayblockade 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.
(by extension) Any form of formalisolation orinhibition of something, especially with the force of law or arms.
In the mean time, Francesca, separated from Madame de Mercœur, was hidden by a group around the Queen of Sweden. With the wall on one side, and a humanblockade on the other, she was left at full leisure to meditate on a vow made at the first announcement of the lottery, namely, that whatever might fall to her lot she would offer in a neighbouring chapel to the Virgin, at whose shrine she would kneel one hour for Guido's safe return.
2020 May 6, Graeme Pickering, “Borders Railway: time for the next step”, inRail, page52:
On January 5 1969, residentsblockaded thelevel crossing atNewcastleton, ahead of the final passenger train. It was only after the then-localMP David (now Lord) Steel had alighted from theSt 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.
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, Oxford:Oxford University Press, launched 2000.