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

A major roadblock is the undue influence of proxy advisory firms on the process.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

His public efforts to encourage Indiana's leaders to redraw their congressional maps to favour Republicans before the 2026 midterm elections hit a potentially critical roadblock on the same day as the Epstein vote.

Read more on BBC

One of the Dodgers’ primary challenges will be managing the returning talent — and ensuring the toll from their previous two title treks doesn’t become a roadblock.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Since Ukraine’s independence in 1991, the country has been struggling to root out government corruption, which remains a roadblock in its hopes to join the European Union.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Jihadists have set up roadblocks in the south and west of the landlocked country near the borders with Senegal and Mauritania, from which vital goods are imported every day.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• barricade 
• blockade