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

Republicans saw the vote as the ‘last roadblock’ stopping Trump from carrying out the mission in Iran. —Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026

Kasket said technologies like the one described in a patent may put up a roadblock in the healing process for those undergoing grief. —Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026

While Allen has experienced roadblocks, stigmatization, and discrimination throughout his journey, his message is one of hope and resilience. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 3 Mar. 2026

However media organizations have failed to keep up, with bureaucratic dysfunction and tighter political controls marking major roadblocks for Chinese firms. —Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 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