chock: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Primarily technical and nautical; informal in the expression 'chock-full'.
Quick answer
What does “chock” mean?
A wedge or block placed against an object to prevent it from moving.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A wedge or block placed against an object to prevent it from moving.
To fill something completely; the state of being tightly packed or full. In technical contexts, it also refers to a device (like a block) used to secure aircraft wheels or maritime equipment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slight. 'Chock-a-block' (originally nautical) is more established in British English, while 'chock-full' is common in both. The core noun/verb usage is identical.
Connotations
Identical for the technical sense. 'Chock-full' is slightly more informal and conversational in both varieties.
Frequency
The word is low-frequency overall. The technical sense is equally low-frequency in both. The phrase 'chock-full' is more frequent in general use than the standalone noun/verb.
Grammar
How to Use “chock” in a Sentence
to chock something (up) [PREP with something]to be chock-full of somethingto place/put a chock under/against somethingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chock” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The ground crew will chock the aircraft's wheels before disembarkation.
- Make sure you've chocked the trailer properly before unloading.
American English
- The mechanic chocked the truck's rear wheels as a safety precaution.
- We need to chock the canoe up on the shore so it doesn't float away.
adverb
British English
- The shelves were stacked chock-a-block.
- The bin was filled chock-full.
American English
- The storage unit is packed chock-full of old furniture.
- The day is scheduled chock-a-block with appointments.
adjective
British English
- The car park was absolutely chock-a-block by noon.
- Her dissertation was chock-full of fascinating primary sources.
American English
- The stadium was chock-full of enthusiastic fans.
- The schedule is chock-a-block with meetings all week.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in logistics or warehousing contexts describing a full warehouse.
Academic
Very rare, except in historical or technical engineering papers.
Everyday
Almost exclusively in the phrase 'chock-full' (e.g., 'The cinema was chock-full').
Technical
Common in maritime (securing boats), aviation (securing aircraft), and transport/logistics (securing truck trailers).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chock”
- Misspelling as 'chalk' or 'choke'.
- Using 'chock-full' without 'of' (Incorrect: 'The room was chock-full people.' Correct: '...chock-full of people.').
- Using the verb without an object (Incorrect: 'He chocked.' Correct: 'He chocked the wheels.').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are unrelated. 'Chock' likely comes from Old French 'çoche' meaning 'log', while 'chocolate' comes from Nahuatl via Spanish.
They are largely synonymous, both meaning 'completely full'. 'Chock-a-block' has a stronger nautical origin (referring to blocks pulled tight together on a ship) and is slightly more common in British English.
Yes, it is a transitive verb meaning 'to secure with a chock' (e.g., 'to chock the wheels').
No, as a standalone noun/verb it is technical (nautical/aviation). Its main entry into everyday language is through the informal adjective/phrase 'chock-full' or 'chock-a-block'.
A wedge or block placed against an object to prevent it from moving.
Chock is usually primarily technical and nautical; informal in the expression 'chock-full'. in register.
Chock: in British English it is pronounced /tʃɒk/, and in American English it is pronounced /tʃɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “chock-a-block (full/crowded)”
- “chock-full (completely full)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CHOC-olate bar used as a CHOCK to stop a toy car from rolling—it's a sweet, solid block.
Conceptual Metaphor
PREVENTION/STABILITY IS A SOLID BLOCK; ABUNDANCE IS A CONTAINER PACKED TO THE BRIM.
Practice
Quiz
What does the phrase 'chock-full' primarily express?