roadblock

noun

road·​block ˈrōd-ˌbläk 

1

a

: a barricade often with traps or mines for holding up an enemy at a point on a road covered by fire

b

: a road barricade set up especially by law enforcement officers

2

: an obstruction in a road

3

: something that blocks progress or prevents accomplishment of an objective

roadblock transitive verb

Examples of roadblock in a Sentence

That's the one roadblock to the plan.

roadblocks on the path to success

Recent Examples on the Web

Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Shares of iRobot plunged 33% on Monday after the company warned its search for a buyer has hit a substantial roadblock and its financial condition remains dire. —Annie Palmer, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025

Although inventory levels are increasing, home prices and mortgage rates continue to be a roadblock for potential home buyers. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025

Qatar and the United States have been close allies for decades, but that relationship appeared to hit a roadblock earlier this month after Israel launched strikes targeting Hamas leadership in Doha. —Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2025

Last year, a move by the San Diego supervisors to restrict Sheriff’s Office interaction with federal agents ran into a roadblock. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for roadblock

• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• flintlock
• goshawk

Kids Definition

roadblock

noun

road·​block -ˌbläk 

: a blocking of a road (as by police officers)

Legal Definition

roadblock

noun

road·​block

: a road barricade set up by law enforcement officers especially for the purpose of detecting criminal activity