roadblock

[rohd-blok]

noun

1. an obstruction placed across a road, especially of barricades or police cars, for halting or hindering traffic, as to facilitate the capture of a pursued car or inspection for safety violations.

2. an obstruction on a road, as a fallen tree or a pile of fallen rocks.

3. a hastily built barricade, as of barbed wire, erected across a road to hold up the advance of an enemy.

4. an action, condition, etc., that obstructs progress toward an objective.

   Nationalism is a roadblock to European unity.

verb (used with object)

1. to halt or obstruct with or as if with a roadblock.

roadblock

/ ˈrəʊdˌblɒk /

noun

1. a barrier set up across a road by the police or military, in order to stop a fugitive, inspect traffic, etc

2. a difficulty or obstacle to progress

Word History and Origins

Origin of roadblock¹

First recorded in 1935–40; road + block

Example Sentences

In addition to the death of its primary architect, the basilica has hit a number of roadblocks throughout its almost 150-year construction.

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But the US leader insisted on Thursday that "that whole situation, that roadblock is gone now".

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But worsening cost trends, unanticipated investments, and pricier-than-expected mitigation efforts from moving to its new coding standard, called V28, remain potential roadblocks.

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However, his interest in acting hit a roadblock at school, where he says he was unlucky enough to fall out of favor with the drama teachers.

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Islamist militants still severely impact large swathes of Burkina Faso and Mali, imposing roadblocks, launching attacks and cutting off supply lines as they expand their decade-long presence, according to residents' testimonies.

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Related Words

• barricade 
• blockade