Gridlock Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

A situation where all movement stops because roads are blocked by too many vehicles, or when progress is prevented by a disagreement, especially in politics.

Usage & Nuances

Common in traffic reports and political discussions. In politics, means a complete standstill due to disagreement. Used more formally in writing/news; casual speech may prefer 'traffic jam' for cars.

• Spanish: atasco - estancamiento (política)
• Portuguese (BR): engarrafamento - impasse (político)
• Portuguese (PT): engarrafamento - impasse (político)
• Chinese (Simplified): 交通堵塞 - 僵局 (政治)
• Chinese (Traditional): 交通壅塞 - 僵局 (政治)
• Hindi: जाम - गतिरोध (राजनीति)
• Arabic: ازدحام مروري - جمود (سياسي)
• Bengali: জাম - অচলাবস্থা (রাজনীতিতে)
• Russian: затор - тупик (в политике)
• Japanese: 大渋滞 - 行き詰まり（政治）
• Vietnamese: kẹt xe - bế tắc (chính trị)
• Korean: 교통 체증 - 교착 상태(정치)
• Turkish: trafik kilitlenmesi - çıkmaz (siyasette)
• Urdu: جام - سیاسی جمود
• Indonesian: kemacetan total - kebuntuan (politik)

Example Sentences

There was a huge gridlock on Main Street this morning.

basic

Washington has been in political gridlock for months.

natural

Political gridlock has delayed the new law.

basic

We were stuck in gridlock for an hour after the concert.

natural

If there's an accident, gridlock can last for hours downtown.

natural

The city suffers from gridlock every rush hour.

basic