1. A traffic jam in which vehicles block each other and no movement is possible in any direction.
2. A complete deadlock or stalemate in which no progress can be made.
Usage: figurative

1. To cause or become stuck in a gridlock; to bring to a complete standstill.

Examples

• The accident on the highway created gridlocks that lasted for hours.
• Morning rush hour gridlocks are a common problem in the city.
• Political disagreements gridlocked the negotiations for weeks.
• The construction project gridlocks traffic on Main Street every afternoon.
• Congress faces gridlocks when the two parties cannot reach agreement.
• Heavy snow gridlocks the entire transportation system.
• The dispute gridlocked the committee's decision-making process.