Editing Concrete block (section)

{{Short description|Standard-sized block used in construction}}
{{Self-reference|"Cinder block" redirects here. For the American singer, see [[Cinder Block (musician)]]. For the DC Comics character, see [[Cinderblock (character)]]}}
{{redirect|Breeze block}}

[[File:Concreteblocks.jpg|thumb|A [[pallet]] of "8-inch" concrete blocks]]
[[File:Painted breeze-cinder block wall.jpg|thumb|An interior wall of painted concrete blocks]]
[[File:Concrete Masonry blocks.jpg|thumb|Concrete masonry blocks]]
[[File:A building constructed with Concrete Masonry blocks.jpg|thumb|A building constructed with concrete masonry blocks, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.]]

A '''concrete block''', also known as a '''cinder block''' in [[North American English]], '''breeze block''' in [[British English]], or '''concrete masonry unit''' ('''CMU'''), or by [[#Naming|various other terms]], is a standard-size rectangular block used in [[building construction]]. The use of blockwork allows structures to be built in the traditional [[masonry]] style with layers (or courses) of staggered blocks.

Concrete blocks may be produced with hollow centers (cores) to reduce [[weight]], improve [[building insulation|insulation]] and provide an interconnected void into which concrete can be poured to solidify the entire wall after it is built.

Concrete blocks are some of the most versatile [[building material|building products]] available because of the wide variety of appearances that can be achieved using them.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ncma.org/building-solutions/concrete-masonry/|title=Concrete Masonry|website=ncma.org|access-date=31 January 2023}}</ref>