obstruction
Americannoun
-
something that obstructs, blocks, or closes up with an obstacle or obstacles; obstacle or hindrance.
obstructions to navigation.
- Synonyms:
- impediment, bar, barrier
- Antonyms:
- encouragement
-
an act or instance of obstructing.
-
the state of being obstructed.
- Synonyms:
- stoppage
- Antonyms:
- encouragement
-
the delaying or preventing of business before a deliberative body, especially a legislative group, by parliamentary contrivances.
noun
-
a person or thing that obstructs
-
the act or an instance of obstructing
-
delay of business, esp in a legislature by means of procedural devices
-
sport the act of unfairly impeding an opposing player
-
the state or condition of being obstructed
Related Words
See obstacle.
Other Word Forms
- obstructional adjective
- obstructionally adverb
- preobstruction noun
Etymology
Origin of obstruction
First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin obstructiōn- (stem of obstructiō ) “barrier.” See obstruct, -ion
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.
CA19-9 levels can rise in non-cancerous conditions like pancreatitis or bile duct obstruction, and some people do not produce the marker at all due to genetic differences.
From Science Daily • Mar. 23, 2026
The inspector general’s letter outlined what it said are 11 instances of obstruction, including DHS refusing database access for a criminal investigation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026
Amy is now at risk of bowel obstruction and possible kidney failure and is considered an urgent case but remains stuck on a surgery waiting list and feels like she has been "left to rot".
From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026
Earlier this year, Yoon was found guilty of obstruction of justice and a litany of other crimes related to the martial law declaration and its chaotic aftermath.
From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026
“An obstruction of justice charge is a felony. An obstruction of justice is when you have information and you don’t provide that information.”
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
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.
