What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
occlusion
Example
The dentist recommended braces to correct the occlusion of my teeth. [occlusion: noun]
Example
The surgeon used a clip to achieve occlusion of the blood vessel. [occlusion: noun]
blockage
Example
The plumber cleared the blockage in the kitchen sink. [blockage: noun]
Example
The patient was diagnosed with a blockage in the coronary artery. [blockage: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Blockage is more commonly used than occlusion in everyday language. Blockage is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while occlusion is less common and mainly used in medical or dental fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between occlusion and blockage?
Both occlusion and blockage can be used in formal contexts, but occlusion may be more technical and less familiar to non-experts.
