Blockade \Block*ade"\, n. [Cf. It. bloccata. See Block, v. t. ]

1. The shutting up of a place by troops or ships, with the purpose of preventing ingress or egress, or the reception of supplies; as, the blockade of the ports of an enemy.

Note: Blockade is now usually applied to an investment with ships or vessels, while siege is used of an investment by land forces. To constitute a blockade, the investing power must be able to apply its force to every point of practicable access, so as to render it dangerous to attempt to enter; and there is no blockade of that port where its force can not be brought to bear. --Kent.

2. An obstruction to passage.

To raise a blockade. See under Raise.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Blockade \Block*ade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Blockaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Blockading.]

1. To shut up, as a town or fortress, by investing it with troops or vessels or war for the purpose of preventing ingress or egress, or the introduction of supplies. See note under Blockade, n. ``Blockaded the place by sea.'' --Gilpin.

2. Hence, to shut in so as to prevent egress.

Till storm and driving ice blockade him there. --Wordsworth.

3. To obstruct entrance to or egress from.

Huge bales of British cloth blockade the door. --Pope.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)