obstacle
Americannoun
-
obstacles
plural
noun
-
a person or thing that opposes or hinders something
-
a fence or hedge used in showjumping
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
Explanation
When the road is blocked ahead of you, that blockage is an obstacle that keeps you from getting where you want to go. The Latin word that is the source of the word obstacle combines parts that mean "to stand in the way of," so an obstacle is something that stands against what you want to do. In a dramatic piece, the obstacle is the person or thing that keeps a character from achieving his or her goal. This creates the conflict in a play: since conflict is what drama is all about, the obstacle is the source of all drama.
Vocabulary lists containing obstacle
Michelle Obama's final address as First Lady (2017)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Code Talker
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Earth and Space"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
Yuriy, a senior instructor who led one of the squads across the gruelling obstacle course, has at times pondered the necessity of such trials given the nature of drone warfare.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
The legislature recently relaxed a foreign-ownership rule that has been an obstacle to the introduction of SpaceX’s Starlink, the world’s largest provider of satellite internet.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026
For much of my life, walking in Indian cities has felt less like exercising a right than negotiating an obstacle course.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
The team overcame this obstacle by creating genetically modified "orexin-Cre" rats.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 5, 2026
He could see no obstacle, but something too strong for his will to overcome barred the way.
From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien
Experts have cited a number of obstacles to holding such a vote, including how soldiers, millions of Ukrainian refugees and people from occupied territories would vote, as well as disinformation threats from Russia.
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026
To appreciate just how complex that relationship can be, consider the obstacles you confront when trying to construct an econometric model to predict the stock market’s future return.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026
Experts have cited a flurry of obstacles, including voting for soldiers, for millions of Ukrainian refugees and people from occupied territories, as well as disinformation threats from Russia.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
Mangione said he had for years endured severe pain from a broken back and navigated the obstacles of the health insurance system.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
After about an hour, I’m keeping pace with the legacy kids as we race along the walls and take turns avoiding the obstacles Magnus puts in our path.
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
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.
