Dictionary

block-book en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /ˈblɑkˌbʊk/ (General-American)
• /ˌblɑkˈbʊk/ (General-American)
• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˌblɒkˈbʊk/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈblɒkbʊk/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

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

Meanings

1. (transitive) To book (“reserve in advance”) a large number of (hotel rooms, tickets, or other items) at one time.
   • We’ve block-booked three rows of seats at the theatre.
   • [I]f block booking were truly efficient, some paying patients would choose to patronize doctors who block booked, putting up with extra long waits to save a little money (i.e., choosing to pay $30 for a block-booked visit rather than $35 for care by appointment). The fact that doctors cannot attract patients by block booking demonstrates that the extra patient waiting time is more valuable than the small $5 savings in the doctor's time. 2004, Thomas E. Getzen, “Management and Regulation of Hospital Costs”, in Health Economics: Fundamentals and Flow of Funds, New York, N.Y.: John Wiley & Sons, →ISBN, page 182:
   • The sixteen artists and artisans who were building the mural under Valis's direction did not live on site. They were block-booked for six months at the Vineyard Hills Inn. 2005, Dean Koontz, chapter 69, in Velocity, New York, N.Y.: Bantam Books, →ISBN, page 299:
   • Studio time is very expensive and furthermore setting up of a studio with all of the necessary programme specific sets and lighting is time consuming. Therefore, VYP often block-books a studio for several days at a time, or even for 2 weeks at a time. 2011 June, “V and Y Productions: Some Help from BPP”, in CIMA Professional Competence Level Paper T4: Test of Professional Competence in Management: For Exams in 2011 and 2012, 2nd edition, London: BPP Learning Media, →ISBN, part C (Practice T4 (TOPCIMA) Cases), paragraph 65, page 352:
   • He adds that NR was constantly frustrated by its inability to get access to the Melton track. "NR seems to struggle in terms of managing its customer base – Bombardier and Alstom block-book the place. 2021 June 16, Andrew Mourant, “Plans for New Test Centre Remain on Track”, in Rail, number 933, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire: Bauer Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 44:

Forms

Relateds

block booking

Translations (1)

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