What does gridlock mean?

Definitions for gridlock
ˈgrɪdˌlɒkgrid·lock

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word gridlock.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. gridlocknoun

    a traffic jam so bad that no movement is possible

Wiktionary

  1. gridlocknoun

    A condition of total, interlocking traffic congestion on the streets or highways of a crowded city, in which no one can move because everyone is in someone else's way.

  2. gridlocknoun

    On a smaller scale: the situation in which cars enter a signal-controlled intersection too late during the green light cycle, and are unable to clear the intersection (due to congestion in the next block) when the light turns red, thus blocking the cross traffic when it's their turn to go. Repeated at enough intersections, this phenomenon can lead to citywide gridlock.

  3. gridlocknoun

    Figuratively and by extension, any paralysis of a complex system due to severe congestion, conflict, or deadlock.

  4. Etymology: grid + lock

Wikipedia

  1. Gridlock

    Gridlock is a form of traffic congestion where "continuous queues of vehicles block an entire network of intersecting streets, bringing traffic in all directions to a complete standstill". The term originates from a situation possible in a grid plan where intersections are blocked, preventing vehicles from either moving forwards through the intersection or backing up to an upstream intersection. The term Gridlock is also used incorrectly to describe high traffic congestion with minimal flow (which is simply a traffic jam), where a blocked grid system is not involved. By extension, the term has been applied to situations in other fields where flow is stalled by excess demand, or in which competing interests prevent progress.

ChatGPT

  1. gridlock

    Gridlock is a situation where there is severe congestion or complete standstill due to the inability of the participants to progress or find a solution. This term is commonly used in the context of traffic to describe a situation where streets are blocked by cars, and it's also used in politics to refer to a situation where the government is unable to pass new laws or policies due to disagreement between political parties.

Wikidata

  1. Gridlock

    The term gridlock is defined as, "A state of severe road congestion arising when continuous queues of vehicles block an entire network of intersecting streets, bringing traffic in all directions to a complete standstill; a traffic jam of this kind." The term originates from a situation possible in a grid plan where intersections are blocked, preventing vehicles from either moving forwards through the intersection or backing up to an upstream intersection. The term gridlock is also widely used to describe high traffic congestion with minimal flow, whether or not a blocked grid system is involved. By extension, the term has been applied to situations in other fields where flow is stalled by excess demand, or in which competing interests prevent progress.

Matched Categories

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce gridlock?

How to say gridlock in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of gridlock in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of gridlock in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of gridlock in a Sentence

  1. Sofia Savvantidou:

    We are concerned that gridlock could see politicians vent towards the lowest common denominator -- utilities.

  2. Cary Kochman:

    Corporate leaders and markets like stability. Gridlock, in its own way, can be seen as a stabilizer, as we saw during the Obama administration.

  3. Jeb Bush:

    If you apply conservative principles and you stick with it, and you have the leadership skills to bring people toward the cause, you can move the needle on these things, i reject the notion that we can't solve problems, that the gridlock is too enormous to forge consensus. It requires some creativity to get to a win for everybody.

  4. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu:

    After decades of gridlock, court battles and uncertainty for our firefighters and for taxpayers, together we have solved this problem, hopefully once and for all.

  5. Opposition Labour lawmaker:

    The fudged document they have produced doesn't engage with any of the key Brexit dilemmas and is highly unlikely to lead to anything but more gridlock in the ongoing talks with the EU.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

gridlock#10000#48196#100000

Translations for gridlock

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • Stau, Verkehrskollaps, Verkehrsinfarkt, StillstandGerman
  • atasco, embotellamiento, paralizaciónSpanish
  • liikennesuma, tukos, sumaFinnish
  • embouteillage, impasseFrench
  • խցանում, մեռյալ կետ, փակուղի, խռնվածք, կուտակականգArmenian
  • ingorgoItalian
  • 雑沓, 雑踏, 渋滞, 停滞, 交通渋滞Japanese
  • kork, kø, trafikkorkNorwegian
  • verkeersinfarct, verkeerschaosDutch
  • blokadaPolish
  • engarrafamento, bloqueio, impassePortuguese
  • тупик, мёртвая точка, пробка, застой, заторRussian
  • กริดล็อคThai

Get even more translations for gridlock »

Translation

Find a translation for the gridlock definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:


Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"gridlock." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Dec. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/gridlock>.

Discuss these gridlock definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for gridlock? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Image or illustration of

    gridlock

    Credit »

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    a state of irritation or annoyance
    A suffuse
    B huff
    C abet
    D monish

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for gridlock: