obstacle

noun

ob·​sta·​cle ˈäb-sti-kəl 

-ˌsti-

: something that impedes progress or achievement

Mosquitoes were a great obstacle to the building of the Panama Canal.

… elders … often facing daily medical, social, and psychological obstacles.

—Vicki Bloom and B. B. Green-Field

Synonyms

• hurdle
• obstruction
• embarrassment
• barrier

Examples of obstacle in a Sentence

He overcame the obstacles of poverty and neglect.

They must overcome a number of obstacles before the restaurant can be opened.

Lack of experience is a major obstacle for her opponent.

She swerved to avoid an obstacle in the road.

Recent Examples on the Web

The new law removes the certificate of need requirement for facilities with four or fewer beds, a major obstacle that previously hindered their creation. —Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025

Cyclists swerve to avoid them like any other obstacle in the road. —Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025

Brands frequently encounter obstacles, including the requirement for notarized test purchases and the treatment of each infringement as a separate case, even when multiple listings from the same seller are involved. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025

Chinese businesses in the US face a host of obstacles. —semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin obstaculum, from obstare to stand in front of, from ob- in the way + stare to stand — more at ob-, stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing obstacle

• obstacle course
• obstacle race

Kids Definition

obstacle

noun

ob·​sta·​cle ˈäb-sti-kəl 

: something that stands in the way of progress or achievement : hindrance

drove around the obstacles in the road

didn't let shortness be an obstacle to a basketball career