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
Wind giant Ørsted sues White House Energy giant Ørsted and two US states sued the White House over its obstruction of a near-complete offshore wind farm, part of the administration’s move away from renewables.
—
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
O'Dell pleaded guilty earlier this year to arson, damage to religious property and obstruction of persons in the free exercise of religious beliefs.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
The sentencing comes months after O’Dell, a Temple native, pleaded guilty to three charges — arson, damage to religious property and obstruction of persons in the free exercise of religious beliefs — in April.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
At the local level, the failures of oversight become even more stark — playing out in city after city, where legal authority often exists in name but is hollowed out by neglect, obstruction or political retaliation.
—Hansel Alejandro Aguilar, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
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Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
O'Dell pleaded guilty earlier this year to arson, damage to religious property and obstruction of persons in the free exercise of religious beliefs.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
The sentencing comes months after O’Dell, a Temple native, pleaded guilty to three charges — arson, damage to religious property and obstruction of persons in the free exercise of religious beliefs — in April.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
At the local level, the failures of oversight become even more stark — playing out in city after city, where legal authority often exists in name but is hollowed out by neglect, obstruction or political retaliation.
—Hansel Alejandro Aguilar, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 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
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