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.-an obstruction to passage.-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.-hence, to shut in so as to prevent egress.-to obstruct entrance to or egress from.