high hurdles

American

noun

(used with a singular verb)

a race in which runners leap over hurdles 42 inches (107 centimeters) high.

high hurdles British

noun

(functioning as singular) a race in which competitors leap over hurdles 42 inches (107 cm) high

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of high hurdles

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He also acknowledged high hurdles in moving forward, especially with American unwilling to engage, and said that “pursuit of talks with American have ended.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

Beckham Borquez of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame suffered a spill during the running of the 110 high hurdles on Saturday night at the Arcadia Invitational.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Due to Germany's 20th-Century experience of oppressive Nazi and communist totalitarian regimes, there are high hurdles to restricting speech and banning publications and organisations.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2025

Lately, in the arena of math, leading models have jumped impressively high hurdles.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 2, 2024

Then I sit through the 100-meter hurdles for the girls and the 110-meter high hurdles for the boys.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023