n. & v.
n. 1 the surrounding or blocking of a place, esp. a port, by an enemy to prevent entry and exit of supplies etc. 2 anything that prevents access or progress. 3 US an obstruction by snow etc.
v.tr. 1 subject to a blockade. 2 obstruct (a passage, a view, etc.). blockade-runner 1 a vessel which runs or attempts to run into a blockaded port. 2 the owner, master, or one of the crew of such a vessel. run a blockade enter or leave a blockaded port by evading the blockading force. blockader n.
[ BLOCK + -ADE(1), prob. after ambuscade ]