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

June and July are typically the quietest months of the season, but this shear has been a major roadblock and could have implications for the peak months, too. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

The measure faces roadblocks in the Senate, however, due to concerns about the impact of cutting down on morning sunlight. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 17 July 2026

He can get hung up in crowded spaces, but his initial quickness gives him an advantage to get upfield or work laterally around roadblocks. — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Insiders alleged that the true roadblock appears to be the trustee managing the estate. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 15 July 2026

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