obstruction
noun
ob·struc·tion
əb-ˈstrək-shən 
äb-
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
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 on the Web
The jurors found Motta guilty of fraud, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering.
—
Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Sedrick Walker, 21, is charged with burglary, two counts of breaking and entering to commit a misdemeanor, four counts of indecent exposure, two counts of trespassing, wearing a mask in public and obstruction of justice, the Fairfax County Police Department said in a release.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
According to Harvard Health, rarer but more serious side effects can include inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis; gastroparesis, or the slowing or stopping of movement of food through the stomach; bowel obstruction or blockage; and gallstone attacks or bile duct blockages.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
In March 2024, authorities arrested 32-year-old Lashawn Washington and charged her with first-degree felony murder, kidnapping and obstruction of justice.
—Veronica Fulton, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Sedrick Walker, 21, is charged with burglary, two counts of breaking and entering to commit a misdemeanor, four counts of indecent exposure, two counts of trespassing, wearing a mask in public and obstruction of justice, the Fairfax County Police Department said in a release.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
According to Harvard Health, rarer but more serious side effects can include inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis; gastroparesis, or the slowing or stopping of movement of food through the stomach; bowel obstruction or blockage; and gallstone attacks or bile duct blockages.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
In March 2024, authorities arrested 32-year-old Lashawn Washington and charged her with first-degree felony murder, kidnapping and obstruction of justice.
—Veronica Fulton, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
Cite this Entry
“Obstruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstruction. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obstruction
noun
ob·struc·tion
əb-ˈstrək-shən
äb-
1
: an act of obstructing : the state of being obstructed
2
: something that gets in the way : obstacle
Medical Definition
obstruction
noun
ob·struc·tion
əb-ˈstrək-shən, äb-
1
a
: an act of obstructing
b
: a condition of being clogged or blocked
intestinal obstruction
2
: something that obstructs
dislodge an airway obstruction
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