obstacle
Americannoun
noun
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a person or thing that opposes or hinders something
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a fence or hedge used in showjumping
Related Words
Obstacle, obstruction, hindrance, impediment refer to something that interferes with or prevents action or progress. An obstacle is something, material or nonmaterial, that stands in the way of literal or figurative progress: Lack of imagination is an obstacle to one's advancement. An obstruction is something that more or less completely blocks a passage: A blood clot is an obstruction to the circulation. A hindrance keeps back by interfering and delaying: Interruptions are a hindrance to one's work. An impediment interferes with proper functioning: an impediment in one's speech.
Etymology
Origin of obstacle
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin obstāculum, equivalent to obstā(re) “to face, block, hinder” ( ob- ob- + stāre stand ) + -culum -cle 2
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.
The Argentina defender posted about "the many obstacles that always existed and always will exist" when paying tribute to sacked former manager Ange Postecoglou on his Instagram page in June.
From BBC
This property allows data to be transmitted even when obstacles block a direct path between sender and receiver.
From Science Daily
Besides the expense of operating material recovery facilities, known as MRFs, Americans’ poor recycling habits are an obstacle to profit.
The streets were quieter and any fanfare gave way to new uncertainty over what obstacles might emerge and a fear that what took place last January could happen again.
From Los Angeles Times
Ms. Rodríguez herself faces insurmountable obstacles, beginning with her utter lack of legitimacy.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
