Standard Lemma guide

block-book

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌblɒkˈbʊk/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈblɒkbʊk/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • General-American: /ˌblɑkˈbʊk/
  • General-American: /ˈblɑkˌbʊk/
  • rhymes with -ʊk (one pronunciation)

1

verb

Meaning 1

To book (“reserve in advance”) a large number of (hotel rooms, tickets, or other items) at one time.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • We’ve block-booked three rows of seats at the theatre.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From block (“apportionment or grouping of like things treated together as a unit”, noun) + book (verb), a back-formation from block booking.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: varata kerralla — to book a large number of (hotel rooms, tickets, or other items) at one time