roadblock

[ rohd-blok ]

noun

1. an obstruction placed across a road, especially of barricades or police cars, for halting or hindering traffic, as to facilitate the capture of a pursued car or inspection for safety violations.
2. an obstruction on a road, as a fallen tree or a pile of fallen rocks.
3. a hastily built barricade, as of barbed wire, erected across a road to hold up the advance of an enemy.
4. an action, condition, etc., that obstructs progress toward an objective:

   Nationalism is a roadblock to European unity.

verb (used with object)

1. to halt or obstruct with or as if with a roadblock.

roadblock

/ ˈrəʊdˌblɒk /

noun

1. a barrier set up across a road by the police or military, in order to stop a fugitive, inspect traffic, etc
2. a difficulty or obstacle to progress

Word History and Origins

Origin of roadblock¹

First recorded in 1935–40; road + block

Example Sentences

In the episodes, El-Waylly will be challenged to make meals in a particular styles, but will have extra challenges — decided by spinning a wheel — as roadblocks.

From Eater

Today we are going to understand Cohort Analysis and Behavior Analysis to eliminate roadblocks and improve engagement.

From Search Engine Watch

Crucial Accountability helped me learn the strategies for tackling these hard conversations in a way that builds relationships and addresses issues and roadblocks, without hindering forward progress.

From Fortune

When I first started my career and started to hit a few roadblocks myself, I asked her how she found the confidence to stand up in meetings and fight for her ideas.

From Fortune

Aside from that, an under-optimized UX can sometimes limit the users journey by creating roadblocks to conversions.

From Search Engine Watch

For over a decade, those trying to make better sunscreen found a roadblock at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

From The Daily Beast

As Mitchell was looking to expand his enterprise in the mid-2000s, he ran into a roadblock.

From The Daily Beast

Not far from the drop-off point, the team ran into their first roadblock.

From The Daily Beast

The roadblock was an example of how quickly the reality on the ground is changing.

From The Daily Beast

Within weeks, a new roadblock appeared in the form of Arizona State Senator Kimberly Yee.

From The Daily Beast

I'm sure the Cassylians don't want to advertise their bad sportsmanship so there won't be anything as crude as a roadblock.

From Project Gutenberg

After we got out to Stemmons—they'd set up a roadblock just as you entered Stemmons Expressway.

From Project Gutenberg

A quarter of a mile ahead of the fugitives, the first of the four roadblock units came plowing over the rise.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, tonight, you took the chance of finding the roadblock.

From Project Gutenberg

Ten yards past the roadblock he turned around and looked at Malone.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• barricade
• blockade