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
According to Delaware County court records, LaSota was charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction.
—
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025
The footage does not show that, and Garcia Venegas was never charged with obstruction or any other crime.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
With stops at Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal not scheduled till November, the most likely obstruction may well come in the form of Borussia Dortmund as the season’s first Klassiker rolls into town.
—Jack Bantock, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
However, if the obstruction is from congestion, your best bet may be a decongestant or antihistamine.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025
The footage does not show that, and Garcia Venegas was never charged with obstruction or any other crime.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
With stops at Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal not scheduled till November, the most likely obstruction may well come in the form of Borussia Dortmund as the season’s first Klassiker rolls into town.
—Jack Bantock, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
However, if the obstruction is from congestion, your best bet may be a decongestant or antihistamine.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
Cite this Entry
“Obstruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstruction. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share