block grant

noun

: an unrestricted grant made by the U.S. federal government to state and local governments to be used at their discretion to pay especially for social services that were formerly paid for through specific federal programs

Examples of block grant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The same order also directed the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on how states can use block grant funds for children and families on educational alternatives, including private and faith-based options. Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Feb. 2025 The ranges depended on factors like the discretionary block grant and funding for transitional kindergarten. Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025 One proposal causing concern among some NIH supporters would give at least some of the NIH budget directly to states through block grants, bypassing the agency's intensive peer-review system. Rob Stein, NPR, 26 Nov. 2024 What To Know In addition to these work requirements, Republicans are looking to transition Medicaid to a block grant system, which would provide federal funds for specific programs and shift financial responsibility to the states. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for block grant 

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of block grant was in 1966

Dictionary Entries Near block grant

Cite this Entry

“Block grant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/block%20grant. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Legal Definition

block grant

noun
: an unrestricted federal grant

More from Merriam-Webster on block grant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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