obstruction

[uhb-struhk-shuhn]

noun

1. something that obstructs, blocks, or closes up with an obstacle or obstacles; obstacle or hindrance.

   obstructions to navigation.

   Synonyms: impediment, bar, barrier
   Antonyms: encouragement

2. an act or instance of obstructing.

3. the state of being obstructed.

   Synonyms: stoppage
   Antonyms: encouragement

4. the delaying or preventing of business before a deliberative body, especially a legislative group, by parliamentary contrivances.

obstruction

/ əbˈstrʌkʃən /

noun

1. a person or thing that obstructs

2. the act or an instance of obstructing

3. delay of business, esp in a legislature by means of procedural devices

4. sport the act of unfairly impeding an opposing player

5. the state or condition of being obstructed

Other Word Forms

• preobstruction noun
• obstructionally adverb
• obstructional adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obstruction¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin obstructiōn- (stem of obstructiō ) “barrier.” See obstruct, -ion

Synonym Study

See obstacle.

Example Sentences

“This is complete obstruction, and that’s not the way our democracy was founded,” Grijalva said, rejecting the notion that she couldn’t be sworn in, for instance, during Wednesday’s pro forma session.

Read more on Salon

By contrast, the Packbot, a remotely operable military robot that is also an iRobot product, runs on treaded wheels, which signals to users that it can go over rough terrain or obstructions.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Last month, a UN-backed body confirmed that there was famine in Gaza and the UN's humanitarian chief said it was the direct result of Israel's "systematic obstruction" of aid entering the territory.

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A new prosecutor this week won a grand jury indictment against Comey on one count of making a false statement and one count of obstruction of a congressional proceeding.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The two-page indictment is short on detail, but it says Mr Comey has been charged with one count of making false statements and another of obstruction of justice.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• blockage 
• hindrance 
• interference