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
Jason Olson was cited for resisting arrest, interfering with a crime scene investigation and obstruction of government operations, according to FOX 10.
—
Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
The filing, entered Monday by Comey’s legal defense team, confirms that evidence collected in the leak investigation, codenamed Arctic Haze, is central to the Justice Department’s false-statement and obstruction case against him.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2025
The tablets will also note street obstructions.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Oct. 2025
Observing and recording law enforcement is generally protected, but warning people to avoid arrest or physically interfering with ICE operations could be considered obstruction.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
The filing, entered Monday by Comey’s legal defense team, confirms that evidence collected in the leak investigation, codenamed Arctic Haze, is central to the Justice Department’s false-statement and obstruction case against him.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2025
The tablets will also note street obstructions.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Oct. 2025
Observing and recording law enforcement is generally protected, but warning people to avoid arrest or physically interfering with ICE operations could be considered obstruction.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 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 5 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share