obstruction
noun
ob·struc·tion
əb-ˈstrək-shən 
äb-
1
a
: the state of being obstructed
especially
: a condition of being clogged or blocked
an intestinal obstruction
She died from an obstruction of the airway.
b
: an act of obstructing
Passage of the law was delayed by the congressman's obstruction.
2
: something that obstructs
removing obstructions that block the path
a view without obstruction
Examples of obstruction in a Sentence
They are removing trees and other obstructions from the path.
cases of intestinal obstruction in children
She died from an obstruction of the airway.
He is on trial for the obstruction of a criminal investigation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Even after stopping at an intersection, drivers may need to crane their necks to see around obstructions such as trees, light poles or sign posts that block visibility.
—
Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
An 11th person has been charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy.
—Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
Mario Guevara, founder and journalist for MG News, is being held on unlawful assembly, obstruction of police and being a pedestrian on or along the roadway charges after recording a June 14 protest in the metro Atlanta area against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 9 July 2025
This kind of obstruction is not slowing renewable energy in the rest of the world: if anything, Washington’s new fickleness provides one more reason to stop depending on the U.S. for fuel.
—Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
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Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
An 11th person has been charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy.
—Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
Mario Guevara, founder and journalist for MG News, is being held on unlawful assembly, obstruction of police and being a pedestrian on or along the roadway charges after recording a June 14 protest in the metro Atlanta area against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 9 July 2025
This kind of obstruction is not slowing renewable energy in the rest of the world: if anything, Washington’s new fickleness provides one more reason to stop depending on the U.S. for fuel.
—Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
Cite this Entry
“Obstruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstruction. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obstruction
noun
ob·struc·tion
əb-ˈstrək-shən
äb-
1
: an act of obstructing : the state of being obstructed
2
: something that gets in the way : obstacle
Medical Definition
obstruction
noun
ob·struc·tion
əb-ˈstrək-shən, äb-
1
a
: an act of obstructing
b
: a condition of being clogged or blocked
intestinal obstruction
2
: something that obstructs
dislodge an airway obstruction
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