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.

---

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

---

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

Example Sentences

If the majority of the company’s shareholders vote yes — as is widely expected — the only remaining hurdle would be a regulatory one.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

Having taken the play-off route to the 2022 World Cup, they missed out on Euro 2024 at the final hurdle.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

“The regulatory hurdle is difficult and it’s going to be difficult for anyone to compete against,” Walchek said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Another hurdle that Os had to overcome in her career is an ongoing stigma placed on influencers-turned-pop stars.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

He rarely stayed on the sidewalk, veering onto neighbors’ lawns to hurdle bushes.

From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

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