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

Synonyms of obstruction

• obstacle
• hurdle
• embarrassment
• interference
• barrier

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

Agnello was charged with assault, criminal obstruction of breathing and criminal mischief, police said. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 June 2026

Branch had been charged with obstruction of a law enforcement officer and obstructing a public sidewalk following an early morning incident outside a downtown Athens bar the weekend before the draft. —Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 4 June 2026

Comey was indicted by a federal grand jury in Virginia on charges of making a false statement and obstruction in connection with nearly 5-year-old testimony to the Senate. —Dan Mangan, CNBC, 4 June 2026

Former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, now a member of the Atlanta Falcons, had misdemeanor charges of obstructing public sidewalks/streets — prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement official dropped. —Connor Riley, AJC.com, 3 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for obstruction

• abduction
• adduction
• conduction
• construction
• deduction
• destruction
• eduction
• induction
• instruction
• production
• reduction
• seduction

Kids 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