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
Tyler Robinson was also arrested on charges of obstruction of justice and the felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, authorities said.
—
Bobby Allyn, NPR, 14 Sep. 2025
Since then, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson has been taken into custody and is charged with murder, obstruction, and felony firearm charges after allegedly shooting Kirk from a nearby building while the right-wing activist was speaking at a college event in Utah.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025
He was arrested on suspicion of capital murder along with weapons and obstruction offenses.
—Arkansas Online, 13 Sep. 2025
He was arrested on suspicion of capital murder, weapons and obstruction offenses.
—Eric Tucker, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Bobby Allyn, NPR, 14 Sep. 2025
Since then, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson has been taken into custody and is charged with murder, obstruction, and felony firearm charges after allegedly shooting Kirk from a nearby building while the right-wing activist was speaking at a college event in Utah.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025
He was arrested on suspicion of capital murder along with weapons and obstruction offenses.
—Arkansas Online, 13 Sep. 2025
He was arrested on suspicion of capital murder, weapons and obstruction offenses.
—Eric Tucker, Twin Cities, 12 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 17 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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