roadblock

American  

[rohd-blok] / ˈroʊdˌblɒk /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of roadblock

First recorded in 1935–40; road + block

Explanation

A literal roadblock is a barricade or obstruction that's meant to block traffic. A figurative roadblock is any situation you encounter that makes it difficult or impossible to do what you want or need to do. When a driver encounters a roadblock, she has to stop and go back, or to take a detour and use a different route. This sort of roadblock might be set up to divert cars away from construction or an accident. Other roadblocks are obstructions to progress, like a lawsuit that halts construction on a building or the high cost of something: "The price of converting to a solar water heater was a roadblock to our plans."

Example Sentences

The biggest roadblock for many people is the upfront acquisition costs, including down payments and inspections, he said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

The need to directly overrule the unit, they said, made it a roadblock — one that no longer exists.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

That roadblock arises from a program called Prevention of Significant Deterioration.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

On Thursday, groups representing crypto firms and banks are expected to meet with the White House in an attempt to resolve the latest roadblock.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

Mary Jane believed Cammi was a roadblock to Reggie going on a mission.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Related Words

• barricade
• blockade