roadblock

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noun road·block \ -ˌbläk \

Definition of roadblock

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

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roadblock

transitive verb

See roadblock defined for English-language learners

See roadblock defined for kids

Examples of roadblock in a Sentence

That's the one roadblock to the plan.
roadblocks on the path to success

Recent Examples of roadblock from the Web

But unlike concrete barriers, fences, and temporary roadblocks, bollards can feel like ordinary pieces of street furniture, closer to lampposts or traffic signs than fortifications.

— justin davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "There’s a Basic Security Device That Can Prevent a Barcelona-Style Attack. Why Don’t We Use It More?," 18 Aug. 2017
And yes, even on this minute level there are roadblocks and collisions (imagine the tiny orange cones!) that can disrupt replication and other processes crucial to genomic stability.

— gemma tarlach, Discover Magazine, "20 Things You Didn't Know About ... Traffic," 7 Aug. 2017
Kushner’s closed-door meetings with the Senate committee happens to be scheduled around the time of the event, which also may have presented a roadblock.

— emily jane fox, vanityfair.com, "White House Aides “Furious” with Kushner and Ivanka’s Decision to Attend Sun Valley Amid Russia Scandal," 20 July 2017
Kushner’s closed-door meetings with the Senate committee happens to be scheduled around the time of the event, which also may have presented a roadblock.

— emily jane fox, The Hive, "White House Aides “Furious” with Kushner and Ivanka’s Decision to Attend Sun Valley Amid Russia Scandal," 20 July 2017
This is an ultrapractical view of the end of life that testifies to the sort of bootstrap conservatism that argues that because one black person has overcome the systemic and self-inflicted roadblocks to success, anyone can.

— wesley morris, New York Times, "Jay-Z and the Politics of Rapping in Middle Age," 19 July 2017
But with a seemingly impossible needle to thread through his own caucus, McConnell might have hit a permanent roadblock on his dream to demolish the Affordable Care Act.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "The Long, Winding Road to Republicans’ Failure on Obamacare," 18 July 2017
From Bloomberg: House Republicans are throwing up new roadblocks to a Russia and Iran sanctions bill over concerns from the energy industry that a provision could block U.S. companies from lucrative foreign oil deals.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "These Russian Sanctions Are a No-Brainer. What Is Paul Ryan Waiting for?," 14 July 2017
To think of people this way — not as unique individuals created by a loving God, but as burdens and roadblocks to economic development — is cruel, but liberal above all.

— elliot kaufman, National Review, "Imperialism by Family Planning," 14 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'roadblock.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of roadblock

1913

ROADBLOCK Defined for English Language Learners

roadblock

play

noun

Definition of roadblock for English Language Learners

: a place where police or military officers stop drivers especially in order to examine vehicles
: something that stops progress

Law Dictionary

roadblock

noun road·block

legal Definition of roadblock

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

Learn More about roadblock

See words that rhyme with roadblock Spanish Central: Translation of roadblock Nglish: Translation of roadblock for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of roadblock for Arabic speakers

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roadblock

Definition of roadblock

roadblock

Examples of roadblock in a Sentence

Recent Examples of roadblock from the Web

First Known Use of roadblock

ROADBLOCK Defined for English Language Learners

roadblock

Definition of roadblock for English Language Learners

Law Dictionary

roadblock

legal Definition of roadblock

Learn More about roadblock

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roadblock

Definition of roadblock

roadblock

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Examples of roadblock in a Sentence

Recent Examples of roadblock from the Web

First Known Use of roadblock

ROADBLOCK Defined for English Language Learners

roadblock

Definition of roadblock for English Language Learners

Law Dictionary

roadblock

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