gridlocked

UK: /ˈgrɪdlɒkt/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

grid•lock /ˈgrɪdˌlɑk/   n. 

1. a major traffic jam in which all movement comes to a stop because important intersections are blocked by traffic:
   [uncountable] The city suffered from gridlock today for the third day in a row.
2. a complete stoppage of normal activity:
   [countable] a financial gridlock resulting from high interest rates.
   [uncountable] complete gridlock, with no money coming in and none going out.

v. 

3. to (cause to) undergo a gridlock: [no object]
   Traffic gridlocked at key intersections today.
   [~ + object]
   Traffic was gridlocked all day.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

grid•lock  (grid′lok′), n. 

1. the stoppage of free vehicular movement in an urban area because key intersections are blocked by traffic.
2. the blocking of an intersection by vehicular traffic entering the intersection but unable to pass through it.
3. any situation in which nothing can move or proceed in any direction:
   a financial gridlock due to high interest rates.

• grid + lock¹ 1975–80, American.

grid′locked′, adj.