obstacle course

American  

noun

1. a military training area having obstacles, as hurdles, ditches, and walls, that must be surmounted or crossed in succession.

2. Informal. an event, situation, course of action, or the like that presents many challenges or difficulties.

---

Example Sentences

None of these are true gaming machines, but I still enjoyed playing the “Obby But You’re On a Bike” obstacle course and the space exploration-gone-wrong adventure “Beyond the Dark.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

But for the 35 residents of Kapisillit, getting to that care is an obstacle course.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

The first element in the men's and women's sprints sees athletes run uphill with skis on their boots through an obstacle course that includes two sets of diamonds that competitors have to negotiate around.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

Challenge him to produce a good time in an obstacle course, no problem.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

For a second, I think maybe Lara will be so focused on completing the obstacle course that she might leave me alone, but then she turns to face me with that little grin of hers.

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston