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
Beacon Hill’s obstruction enables scammers and hurts the needy.
—
John Deaton, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
Guevara and two colleagues, then-detectives Michael Mason and Ernest Halvorson, then orchestrated a frame-up by coercing one witness to identify Rios by beating him with a phone book and flashlight, and another by threatening to charge him with obstruction, according to the plaintiffs’ allegations.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors say a civilian and a military reservist have been indicted for bribery and obstruction of justice, with an undisclosed number of others also arrested for placing Polymarket wagers based on classified information, according to a statement released Thursday by officials in Tel Aviv.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 12 Feb. 2026
Needing a two-thirds majority to convict, the Senate acquitted Clinton 45-55 on the perjury charge, and senators deadlocked 50-50 on the obstruction of justice charge.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
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John Deaton, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
Guevara and two colleagues, then-detectives Michael Mason and Ernest Halvorson, then orchestrated a frame-up by coercing one witness to identify Rios by beating him with a phone book and flashlight, and another by threatening to charge him with obstruction, according to the plaintiffs’ allegations.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors say a civilian and a military reservist have been indicted for bribery and obstruction of justice, with an undisclosed number of others also arrested for placing Polymarket wagers based on classified information, according to a statement released Thursday by officials in Tel Aviv.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 12 Feb. 2026
Needing a two-thirds majority to convict, the Senate acquitted Clinton 45-55 on the perjury charge, and senators deadlocked 50-50 on the obstruction of justice charge.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 12 Feb. 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 17 Feb. 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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