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
gridlocknoun
a traffic jam so bad that no movement is possible
Wiktionary
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.
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.
gridlocknoun
Figuratively and by extension, any paralysis of a complex system due to severe congestion, conflict, or deadlock.
Etymology: grid + lock
Wikipedia
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
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
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:
- [["1962","2"],["1963","1"],["1967","2"],["1969","3"],["1971","1"],["1972","3"],["1976","1"],["1978","2"],["1979","38"],["1980","4"],["1981","15"],["1982","60"],["1983","94"],["1984","171"],["1985","254"],["1986","454"],["1987","379"],["1988","735"],["1989","791"],["1990","1041"],["1991","1081"],["1992","1446"],["1993","2042"],["1994","3017"],["1995","3228"],["1996","3381"],["1997","2943"],["1998","4262"],["1999","3656"],["2000","3503"],["2001","4384"],["2002","4062"],["2003","4842"],["2004","4101"],["2005","4231"],["2006","4753"],["2007","4581"],["2008","5250"]]
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of gridlock in Chaldean Numerology is: 7
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of gridlock in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7
Examples of gridlock in a Sentence
We are concerned that gridlock could see politicians vent towards the lowest common denominator -- utilities.
Corporate leaders and markets like stability. Gridlock, in its own way, can be seen as a stabilizer, as we saw during the Obama administration.
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.
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.
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
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?
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:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In