Definition of "gridlock" []

• A traffic jam in which no vehicular movement is possible, especially one caused by the blockage of key intersections within a grid of streets. (noun)
• A complete lack of movement or progress resulting in a backup or stagnation: "the political gridlock that prevented ... the President and Congress from moving expeditiously to cut the budget” ( Robert D. Hormats). (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Although the word "gridlock" is vintage New Yorkese, only Washington could take the word and give it an entirely different meaning, as in "political gridlock," which is what happens when little gets done."
• "However, the short-term gridlock is very bad for the outlook, in our view."
• ""However, the short-term gridlock is very bad for the outlook, in our view.""