block-book

See also: block book

English

WOTD – 16 March 2025

Etymology

From block (“apportionment or grouping of like things treated together as a unit”, noun) +‎ book (verb), a back-formation from block booking.^[1]

Pronunciation

(Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌblɒkˈbʊk/, /ˈblɒkbʊk/
Audio (Southern England): (file)
(General American) IPA^(key): /ˌblɑkˈbʊk/, /ˈblɑkˌbʊk/
Rhymes: -ʊk (one pronunciation)

Verb

block-book (third-person singular simple present block-books, present participle block-booking, simple past and past participle block-booked)

(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.
- 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:
  [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.
- 2005, Dean Koontz, chapter 69, in Velocity, New York, N.Y.: Bantam Books, →ISBN, page 299:
  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.
- 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:
  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.
- 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:
  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.

Usage notes

Not to be confused with block book (“a book printed from engraved wooden blocks instead of movable type”).

Related terms

block booking (noun)

Translations

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

Finnish: varata kerralla
Macedonian: please add this translation if you can

References

^ “block-book, v.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, July 2023; “block-book, v.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.

[1] “block-book, v.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, July 2023; “block-book, v.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.

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