A Blockade

1. The physical blocking or surrounding of a place, especially a port, in order to prevent commerce and traffic in or out.
2. (by extension) Any form of formal isolation or inhibition of something, especially with the force of law or arms.
3. (nautical) The ships or other forces used to effect a naval blockade.
4. (biology, medicine) Inhibition of the activity (function) of chemical messengers or their receptors, such as (often) receptor antagonism.
5. (chess) Preventing an opponent's pawn moving by placing a piece in front of it.

Synonyms

• (blocking seaport activity): embargo (often metonymically synonymous)
• (inhibition via medication): Antagonism, receptor antagonism