block out

verb

blocked out; blocking out; blocks out
1
: to hide or cover something so that it cannot be seen, felt, or heard
Clouds blocked out the sun.
We put on music to block out the sound of the traffic.
2
: to force oneself not to think about (something)
He tried to block the event out.
3
: to ignore (something)
blocking out distractions

Examples of block out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The concept is basically like a solar eclipse; a coronagraph blocks out the glare of a star such that anything around that star can come into focus. Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Besides a wide-field infrared camera that matches Hubble’s sensitivity but is 1,000 times faster, Roman holds an instrument to block out starlight. Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 There were very few accidents, and just blocking out a weekend made for very little stress. Lauren Gelman, Parents, 24 Aug. 2026 Soak the cardboard with water, and then pile 4 inches of mulch on top to block out sunlight. Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for block out

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Cite this Entry

“Block out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/block%20out. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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