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

Boyfriend and mom charged Royce Moser was charged with homicide, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy to commit tampering of evidence, conspiracy to commit abuse of a corpse and obstruction of justice. — Michael Guise, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Rachel Moser, 56, has been charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, conspiracy to commit abuse of a corpse and obstruction of justice. — David K. Li, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026

Ongoing obstruction of those waterways is helping drive up the price of agricultural products such as fertilizer — and adding to farming woes in the process. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

Some may also face charges for battery, obstruction and resisting a police officer. — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 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