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
Vicki Bloom and B. B. Green-FieldExamples 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
Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro Just like the original Roborock Qrevo Curv that debuted at last year’s IFA, the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro has wheels that can lift the robot's chassis high enough to clear obstacles and thresholds.
—PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2025
For many Hispanics the road to homeownership is filled with obstacles, including loan officers who don’t speak Spanish or aren’t familiar with buyers who may not fit the boxes of a traditional mortgage applicant.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
The shortages have plagued the workforce for many years now, educators have told ABC News, with many of them citing strict time demands, persistent behavioral issues and lack of administrative support, among other obstacles.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
The current version does not account for robots with different capabilities or every type of obstacle.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstacle
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PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2025
For many Hispanics the road to homeownership is filled with obstacles, including loan officers who don’t speak Spanish or aren’t familiar with buyers who may not fit the boxes of a traditional mortgage applicant.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
The shortages have plagued the workforce for many years now, educators have told ABC News, with many of them citing strict time demands, persistent behavioral issues and lack of administrative support, among other obstacles.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
The current version does not account for robots with different capabilities or every type of obstacle.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstacle
Cite this Entry
“Obstacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstacle. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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