gridlock
GRID-lahk
/ˈɡrɪdlɑːk/
A traffic jam in which a grid of intersecting streets becomes completely blocked; or a situation of complete political or operational stalemate.
Implies total paralysis where no direction can move because each path blocks another.
The story behind the word. Coined in New York City during the 1970s traffic engineering discussions. It described what happened when vehicles entered intersections on a green light without room to clear, locking the entire square grid of Manhattan streets.
Word relationships
- stalemate: 'Stalemate' comes from chess and describes an unwinnable deadlock, whereas 'gridlock' originated in physical road design.
- impasse: 'Impasse' refers to a dead-end situation in negotiations, while 'gridlock' emphasizes network-wide systemic blockages.
- breakthrough: 'Breakthrough' represents sudden forward progress overcoming an obstacle.
Commonly confused with
- gridiron: 'Gridiron' refers to an American football field or a metal grating, not a traffic system freeze.
Word family
- gridlocked (adjective): Unable to move or make progress.
Collocations
- complete gridlock
- political gridlock
- cause gridlock
- gridlock traffic
Example sentences
- "A broken traffic light at the central intersection triggered total gridlock across twelve city blocks." Urban Transit Crisis
Memory hook
The street GRID is LOCKED; nobody can budge an inch. Total paralysis in a network.
When not to use
Do not use for mere slow traffic; traffic must be completely paralyzed at intersections.
Fun facts
- The word 'gridlock' gained mainstream fame in 1980 during the New York City transit strike.
Related words
Explore more words
impasse, congestion, bottleneck, obstruct, filibuster, Intransigent
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