the stoppage of free vehicular movement in an urban area because key intersections are blocked by traffic.

the blocking of an intersection by vehicular traffic entering the intersection but unable to pass through it.

any situation in which nothing can move or proceed in any direction

a financial gridlock due to high interest rates.

noun

barrier , blockage , bottleneck , clog , congestion , impasse , logjam , obstacle , stoppage , immobilization , jam