hurdle

American  

[hur-dl] / ˈhɜr dl /

noun

1. a portable barrier over which contestants must leap in certain running races, usually a wooden frame with a hinged inner frame that swings down under impact to prevent injury to a runner who does not clear it.

2. (used with a singular verb) hurdles, a race in which contestants must leap over a number of such barriers placed at specific intervals around the track.

3. any of various vertical barriers, as a hedge, low wall, or section of fence, over which horses must jump in certain types of turf races, as a steeplechase, but especially an artificial barrier.

4. a difficult problem to be overcome; obstacle.

5. Chiefly British. a movable rectangular frame of interlaced twigs, crossed bars, or the like, as for a temporary fence.

6. a frame or sled on which criminals, especially traitors, were formerly drawn to the place of execution.

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verb (used with object)

hurdled, hurdling

1. to leap over (a hurdle, barrier, fence, etc.), as in a race.

2. to master (a difficulty, problem, etc.); overcome.

3. to construct with hurdles; enclose with hurdles.

verb (used without object)

hurdled, hurdling

1. to leap over a hurdle or other barrier.

hurdle British  

/ ˈhɜːdəl /

noun

1. 1. athletics one of a number of light barriers over which runners leap in certain events

   2. a low barrier used in certain horse races

2. an obstacle to be overcome

3. a light framework of interlaced osiers, wattle, etc, used as a temporary fence

4. a sledge on which criminals were dragged to their executions

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verb

1. to jump (a hurdle, etc), as in racing

2. (tr) to surround with hurdles

3. (tr) to overcome

Other Word Forms

• hurdler
  noun
• unhurdled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of hurdle

before 900; Middle English hirdel, hurdel (noun), Old English hyrdel, equivalent to hyrd- + -el noun suffix; compare German Hürde hurdle; akin to Latin crātis hurdle, wickerwork, Greek kýrtos basket, cage, Sanskrit kṛt spin

Explanation

A hurdle is a barrier or other obstacle that a runner has to jump over during a race. If you trip on a hurdle, you probably won't win the race. When they're doing certain types of races, both human and horse athletes have to leap across hurdles (sometimes other animals do this too, like dogs and even rabbits). To do this is also to hurdle. There are physical hurdles, and then there are their figurative counterparts — those difficulties or hurdles that prevent you from progressing in your life.

Example Sentences

Other big-priced winners this week have included 40-1 shot White Noise in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle while Home By The Lee triumphed in the Stayers' Hurdle at 33-1.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

The Relkeel Hurdle was the standout race on Thursday's card, with favourite Kabral Du Mathan, ridden by Harry Skelton, beating Jingko Blue by five-and-a-half lengths.

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2026

"I think the horse is happy, I certainly am. It has been a tough old year, indeed bits in the middle were a little bit worrying," said Henderson after recording his 14th Christmas Hurdle win.

From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025

Appeared in the November 22, 2025, print edition as 'Powell Isn’t Only Hurdle For President on Rates'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 22, 2025

Picton wore the pink jacket, ready to ride Pitcher in the Maiden Hurdle Race, the opening event.

From Fast as the Wind A Novel by Gould, Nat

Related Words

• complication
• difficulty
• handicap
• hindrance
• impediment
• snag
• stumbling block