block grant

noun

Synonyms of block grantnext
: an unrestricted grant made by the U.S. federal government to state and local governments to be used at their discretion to pay especially for social services that were formerly paid for through specific federal programs

Examples of block grant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The program receives a mix of state funding and a federal block grant. — Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 24 June 2026 Every block grant, procurement cycle and appropriations process is an opportunity to put that north star to work, yet most governments are leaving it on the table. — Caroline Whistler, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 In California, measures to unlock some federal block grant dollars for new housing in big cities could be particularly significant. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026 An earlier Senate bill had permanently authorized block grant recovery funds, a change intended to ensure that funding requests aren’t needed after every disaster. — Michael Casey, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for block grant

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of block grant was in 1966

Rhymes for block grant

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Browse Nearby Words

blockfront
block grant
blockhead
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Cite this Entry

“Block grant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/block%20grant. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

block grant

noun
: an unrestricted federal grant

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