Definition of obstruct
transitive verb
1 : to block or close up by an obstacle A piece of food obstructed his airway. The road was obstructed by a fallen tree.
2 : to hinder from passage, action, or operation : impede Constant interruptions obstruct our progress. was charged with obstructing justice by lying to investigators
3 : to cut off from sight A wall obstructs the view.
obstructiveness
nounIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of obstruct in a Sentence
A large tree obstructed the road.
A piece of food obstructed his airway and caused him to stop breathing.
She was charged with obstructing police.
She was charged with obstructing justice by lying to investigators.
Synonym Discussion of obstruct
OBSTRUCT Defined for English Language Learners
obstruct
playDefinition of obstruct for English Language Learners
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: to block (something, such as a pipe or street) so that things cannot move through easily
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: to slow or block the movement, progress, or action of (something or someone)
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: to be in front of (something) : to make (something) difficult to see
OBSTRUCT Defined for Kids
obstruct
playDefinition of obstruct for Students
obstructed
;obstructing
1 : to block or make passage through difficult A fallen tree is obstructing the road.
2 : to be or come in the way of : hinder She was uncooperative and obstructed the investigation.
3 : to make (something) difficult to see The new building obstructs their view of the ocean.
Word Root of obstruct
The Latin word struere, meaning “to build,” and its form structus give us the root struct. Words from the Latin struere have something to do with building. A structure is something that was built, such as a house. To construct is to build by combining parts together. To obstruct is to build an obstacle that blocks a passage or path. Destruction is the process of taking apart something that was built.
Medical Dictionary
obstruct
playMedical Definition of obstruct
: to block or close up by an obstacle veins obstructed by clots
Learn More about obstruct
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See words that rhyme with obstruct Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for obstruct Spanish Central: Translation of obstruct Nglish: Translation of obstruct for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of obstruct for Arabic speakers
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