roadblock

noun

road·​block ˈrōd-ˌbläk 

1

a

: a barricade often with traps or mines for holding up an enemy at a point on a road covered by fire

b

: a road barricade set up especially by law enforcement officers

2

: an obstruction in a road

3

: something that blocks progress or prevents accomplishment of an objective

roadblock transitive verb

Examples of roadblock in a Sentence

That's the one roadblock to the plan.

roadblocks on the path to success

Recent Examples on the Web

For instance, women often face roadblocks when looking to transition from an intro level position into their first management or leadership role. —Liz Elting, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Even if the measure advances out of the House, the Senate remains a massive roadblock, one where Majority Leader John Thune holds great sway. —Philip Elliott, Time, 8 Sep. 2025

Parker resigned a year later, citing frustration with persistent roadblocks to reform. —Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025

Year two brought another roadblock. —George Caulkin, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for roadblock

• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• flintlock
• goshawk

Kids Definition

roadblock

noun

road·​block -ˌbläk 

: a blocking of a road (as by police officers)

Legal Definition

roadblock

noun

road·​block

: a road barricade set up by law enforcement officers especially for the purpose of detecting criminal activity