What does occlusion mean?
Occlusion is a formal term for the blocking or closing of a passage, opening, or route. It is especially common in medicine and anatomy, where it may describe the obstruction of a blood vessel, airway, or other bodily passage. The word is also used in dentistry for the relationship between the upper and lower teeth when the jaws are closed, and more generally for a situation in which visibility or access is prevented. Its tone is technical and authoritative, so it is less common in everyday conversation than words such as “blockage” or “obstruction.” Because it derives from the Latin verb meaning “to close up,” occlusion also conveys the idea of preventing passage through an enclosed space. The word is useful in precise contexts where the cause, location, or medical significance of a blockage needs to be identified.
nounThe act or state of blocking or closing something so that passage, visibility, or access is prevented. In dentistry, it refers to the way the upper and lower teeth meet when the jaws are closed.
- The act or state of blocking or closing a passage, such as a road, airway, blood vessel, or opening.
- The way the upper and lower teeth meet when the jaws are closed, especially in dental contexts.
- A state in which something is obscured or prevented from being seen.
"The heavy fog caused an occlusion of the road, forcing drivers to turn back."
"The scan revealed an occlusion in one of the major arteries."
"A trained dental professional assessed the patient's occlusion before fitting a brace."
"The mountain's changing light created a dramatic occlusion of the valley."
The plural is used for separate instances of blockage or obstruction.
"The scan detected several occlusions in the smaller blood vessels."
From the same Latin root as “close,” “include,” and “exclude,” occlusion is the formal word for what happens when something blocks a passage.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does occlusion come from?
The word comes from Latin occludere, formed from ob- meaning “against” or “up” and claudere meaning “to close.” Its noun form, occlusio, developed in Latin and was borrowed into English during the 16th century. The same Latin root is reflected in cognates such as “include,” “exclude,” “close,” and “clause.”
Related word forms
How occlusion is actually used
The word is formal and technical, especially in medicine, dentistry, anatomy, and transport contexts. In general usage, it often suggests a complete or substantial blockage, though related senses can involve concealment or closure.
Easily confused with occlusion
Coclusion is the process of closing a passage or the state of being closed, whereas occlusion usually emphasizes a blockage that prevents passage, visibility, or access.