obstacle course

noun

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of obstacle course

: 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

See obstacle course defined for English-language learners

Examples of obstacle course in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of obstacle course from the Web

Brownstone Exploration & Discovery Park in Portland offers rock climbing, wakeboarding, zip lining, cliff jumping, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, obstacle courses, beaches and floats.

— susan dunne, courant.com, "Foxwoods Opens 60-MPH Zip Line From Top Of Fox Tower," 13 Apr. 2018
Unlike recent years and other commissions, where the Met roof felt like a playground or an obstacle course, Ms. Bhabha’s project is shockingly, refreshingly, simple.

— martha schwendener, New York Times, "A Sci-Fi Showdown at the Met Museum’s Rooftop Garden," 12 Apr. 2018
One by one, a member of each team had to eat a single serve container of ice cream before running an obstacle course.

— natalie stone, PEOPLE.com, "It's a Girl! Pregnant Jinger Duggar and Husband Jeremy Vuolo Learn the Sex of Their Baby," 9 Apr. 2018
Following the race will be yard games, face painting, an inflatable obstacle course, music, food, and much more organized by the Lasell College Social Events students.

— nancy shohet west, BostonGlobe.com, "A week of remembrances," 6 Apr. 2018
Other activities at the 21st annual event hosted by Pilgrim Center will include supervised games, pony rides, an obstacle course, a petting zoo and face painting. facebook.com/events/221964535029515.

— dan kelly, kansascity, "KC events March 29-April 4: Royals home opener, Easter events, Sporting KC | The Kansas City Star," 27 Mar. 2018
For young children, that could mean taking on an obstacle course from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the Menomonee Falls Public Library, W156 N8436 Pilgrim Road.

— geoff bruce, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "4 things to do in the northwest suburbs this week," 29 Jan. 2018
Features tandem surfing, body-boarding, stand up paddling, kayaking, beach obstacle course, beach games.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "events by county," 28 Mar. 2018
Researchers have developed a small microfluidics device to help select which sperm to use for IVF: The cells swim through a sort of obstacle course that screens for the healthiest, fastest, most normal-shaped sperm.

— chelsea leu, WIRED, "How Science Is Solving Health Issues at All Stages of Life," 27 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'obstacle course.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of obstacle course

1942

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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OBSTACLE COURSE Defined for English Language Learners

obstacle course

noun

Definition of obstacle course for English Language Learners

: a series of objects that people or animals in a race have to jump or climb over, go around, go under, etc.
: a training area for soldiers that is filled with objects (such as hurdles, ditches, walls, etc.) that the soldiers have to jump or climb over, go around, go under, etc.
: a series of problems, events, or requirements that make it difficult to do something