obstacle course

noun

: a military training course filled with obstacles (such as hurdles, fences, walls, and ditches) that must be negotiated

broadly : a series of obstacles that must be overcome

Examples of obstacle course in a Sentence

We finally made it through the bureaucratic obstacle course and got our visas.

Recent Examples on the Web

The park will have an indoor obstacle course, and Amazon hopes the humanoid robots will be able to hop on the back of a Rivian electric van and step out to complete deliveries. —Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 5 June 2025

Tax policy should be consistent, understandable and fair — not an obstacle course that punishes people trying to do the right thing. —Sakinah Tillman, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2025

Riding instruction incorporates obstacle courses which allow riders to navigate their horse through cones and mazes, and over poles. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025

In effect, obstacle course racing has replaced equestrian show jumping as one of modern pentathlon’s five events. —Blythe Lawrence, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for obstacle course

• bourse
• coarse
• force
• gorse
• hoarse
• horse
• norse
• source
• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• enforce