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

Marco Gonzalez, an attorney representing the developers, said Western National believes the city has been regularly creating new roadblocks to keep the project from proceeding. — Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

This game very well could be the Irish’s ticket — or roadblock — to the CFP. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

There’s always been a Trinity League roadblock to prevent the Trailblazers from reaching the championship game of the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Even more modest proposals, like assigning public schools a letter grade for their performance, have hit roadblocks and haven’t been implemented on time. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 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