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

Synonyms of obstruction

• obstacle
• hurdle
• embarrassment
• interference
• barrier

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

Mitchell served 19 months of a two-and-a-half-year sentence for conspiracy and obstruction of justice in the Watergate scandal. — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026

More critically, the obstruction blocks the flow of water and nutrients. — Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Toth immediately recognized that the child was choking and helped clear the obstruction with help from Lieutenant Paramedic Tyler Pilewski, the fire department said. — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

In 1887, the Lucinda Van Valkenburg was struck by a steamer and sank, though for a while the masts remained standing high out of the water and were an obstruction to other ships. — Stacy Conde, Midwest Living, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for obstruction

• abduction
• adduction
• conduction
• construction
• deduction
• destruction
• eduction
• induction
• instruction
• production
• reduction
• seduction

Kids 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