gridlock
|grid/lock|
🇺🇸
/ˈɡrɪdˌlɑk/
🇬🇧
/ˈɡrɪdˌlɒk/
stuck situation
Etymology
'gridlock' originates from the combination of 'grid' and 'lock', where 'grid' refers to a network of intersecting lines and 'lock' implies a state of being stuck.
'gridlock' was coined in the 1980s to describe traffic situations in New York City where vehicles were unable to move due to blocked intersections.
Initially, it meant 'a traffic jam', but over time it evolved to describe any situation where progress is halted due to conflicting interests.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a traffic jam in which no vehicular movement is possible, especially one caused by the blockage of key intersections.
The city experienced gridlock during the rush hour.
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Noun 2
a situation resembling a traffic gridlock, where progress is impossible due to conflicting interests or actions.
The negotiations ended in gridlock, with neither side willing to compromise.
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Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41