obstruction

[uhb-struhk-shuhn]

noun

1. something that obstructs, blocks, or closes up with an obstacle or obstacles; obstacle or hindrance.

   obstructions to navigation.

   Synonyms: impediment, bar, barrier
   Antonyms: encouragement

2. an act or instance of obstructing.

3. the state of being obstructed.

   Synonyms: stoppage
   Antonyms: encouragement

4. the delaying or preventing of business before a deliberative body, especially a legislative group, by parliamentary contrivances.

obstruction

/ əbˈstrʌkʃən /

noun

1. a person or thing that obstructs

2. the act or an instance of obstructing

3. delay of business, esp in a legislature by means of procedural devices

4. sport the act of unfairly impeding an opposing player

5. the state or condition of being obstructed

Other Word Forms

• preobstruction noun
• obstructionally adverb
• obstructional adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obstruction¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin obstructiōn- (stem of obstructiō ) “barrier.” See obstruct, -ion

Synonym Study

See obstacle.

Example Sentences

Side-scan sonar has been widely used to detect obstructions on the ocean floor that might be hazardous to shipping or to seabed installations by the gas and oil industries.

Read more on Literature

In one recent example, teams of tiny magnetic robots—each about the size of a grain of sand—cleared blockages in artificial blood vessels by forming chains to push through the obstructions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The investigation resulted in the conviction four years later of Cheney aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby for perjury and obstruction of justice.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In recent demonstrations, teams of tiny magnetic robots—each about the size of a grain of sand—cleared blockages in artificial blood vessels by forming chains to push through the obstructions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Hydee Feldstein Soto’s office later charged many of the protesters with unlawful assembly, failure to disperse, failure to comply with a lawful order and obstruction of a street, sidewalk or other public corridor — all misdemeanors.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blockage 
• hindrance 
• interference