obstruction

noun ob·struc·tion \ əb-ˈstrək-shən , äb- \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Examples: obstruction in a Sentence

Definition of obstruction

1 a : the state of being obstructed; especially : a condition of being clogged or blocked

an intestinal obstruction

She died from an obstruction of the airway.

b : an act of obstructing

Passage of the law was delayed by the congressman's obstruction.

2 : something that obstructs

removing obstructions that block the path

a view without obstruction

See obstruction defined for English-language learners

See obstruction defined for kids

Examples of obstruction in a Sentence

They are removing trees and other obstructions from the path.
cases of intestinal obstruction in children
She died from an obstruction of the airway.
He is on trial for the obstruction of a criminal investigation.

Recent Examples of obstruction from the Web

The House Judiciary Committee took up articles of impeachment that very afternoon and charged Nixon with obstruction of justice three days later.

— dan rodricks, baltimoresun.com, "Is Kavanaugh Trump's 'Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card'?," 10 July 2018
Three other people, Gregory Huffman, Sandra Bunn — Mr. Gebhardt’s sister — and her son, Lamar Bunn, were each charged last year with obstruction in the case, Mr. Coker said.

— matt stevens, New York Times, "Georgia Resident Convicted of Murder in ‘Heinous’ 1983 Killing of Black Man," 26 June 2018
Now 57-year-old Anne Marie Messiano faces charges of disorderly conduct, criminal obstruction of breathing and aggravated harassment, according to the station.

— scott berson, miamiherald, "'Go back to your own f****** country,' woman screams at passenger on NY bus, video shows," 6 July 2018
Most of the 19 defendants from 11 states spent nearly two years in federal custody awaiting trial on charges including conspiracy, threatening and assaulting federal officers, firearm offenses, obstruction and extortion.

— Washington Post, "Judge rejects government bid to reopen activist rancher case," 6 July 2018
So instead of one charge of public drunkenness, Diana is sitting in the Hall County jail on additional charges of felony obstruction and interference with government property in lieu of $11,530 bond.

— chelsea prince, ajc, "Margaritaville visitor kicks deputy in the face, busts out window, officials say," 6 July 2018
The current probe -- into Russian meddling as well as the possibility of obstruction and collusion -- is pointless, is a witch hunt, is already proven to be a hoax.

— chris cillizza, CNN, "What the heck is Rudy Giuliani talking about?," 15 June 2018
The indictment also charges Manafort with obstruction and conspiring to obstruct justice.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Special counsel Mueller indicts associate of Paul Manafort," 8 June 2018
The second problem is that, even if the FBI managed to defeat Trump’s attempts at obstruction and present overwhelming evidence of guilt, impeachment (or impeachment and removal, anyway) would be far from certain.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Why Congress Wouldn’t Impeach Trump for Shooting James Comey," 4 June 2018

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

First Known Use of obstruction

1533

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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obstruction Synonyms

OBSTRUCTION Defined for English Language Learners

obstruction

noun

Definition of obstruction for English Language Learners

: something that blocks something else and makes it difficult for things to move through
: the condition of being blocked so that things cannot move through easily
: the act of making it difficult for something to happen or move forward