SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

roadblock

noun
Save Word
road·​block | \ ˈrōd-ˌbläk How to pronounce roadblock (audio) \

Definition of roadblock

1a : 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
Other Words from roadblock Example Sentences Learn More about roadblock

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from roadblock

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 Fisher, the solicitor general, said in July that a decision by the Supreme Court in favor of the state would remove one roadblock toward resuming executions in Indiana. — Tim Evans, The Indianapolis Star, "Indiana’s darkest secret to be revealed: What drugs are in Death Row execution cocktail?," 2 Mar. 2021 That provision would create a roadblock in the spread of gig-worker status at companies such as Uber. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, "Column: Biden throws a bombshell at Amazon’s anti-union campaign," 1 Mar. 2021 But Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough put up a major roadblock with her ruling on Thursday night. — Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner, "Gone but not forgotten: Minimum wage raise still creates problems for White House," 27 Feb. 2021 For other Republican 2024 hopefuls looking to make their mark at this weekend’s conference, Trump’s appearance presents a roadblock. — Andrew Marquardt, Fortune, "Vegas says Trump likely to declare 2024 election bid in Sunday’s CPAC speech," 26 Feb. 2021 One predictable roadblock, Nelson said, is Minnesota's COVID-19 outdoor recreation restrictions. — Dennis Anderson, Star Tribune, "Future times in Minnesota's outdoors: Taking stock and looking ahead," 26 Feb. 2021 But already, a lack of federal coordination in distributing doses has emerged as a troubling roadblock. — New York Times, "One Year, 400,000 Coronavirus Deaths: How the U.S. Guaranteed Its Own Failure," 17 Jan. 2021 LeBron James remained a difficult roadblock in Cleveland in 2017 and 2018. — Mark Medina, USA TODAY, "Opinion: Celtics’ success hinges on Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart easing burden on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown," 31 Jan. 2021 Even under Biden, one significant roadblock re-mains: the fact that business as usual is highly profitable for the Big Tech companies. — Billy Perrigo, Time, "Big Tech's Business Model Is a Threat to Democracy. Here's How to Build a Fairer Digital Future," 22 Jan. 2021

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.

See More

First Known Use of roadblock

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about roadblock

Time Traveler for roadblock Time Traveler

The first known use of roadblock was in 1913

See more words from the same year

Statistics for roadblock

Last Updated

5 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Roadblock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roadblock. Accessed 9 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for roadblock

roadblock

noun
How to pronounce roadblock (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of roadblock

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

See the full definition for roadblock in the English Language Learners 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

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on roadblock

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for roadblock

Nglish: Translation of roadblock for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of roadblock for Arabic Speakers

Comments on roadblock

What made you want to look up roadblock? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

luminary

Listen to the pronunciation of luminary

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Who Knew?

  • who knew quiz
  • What is a ruelle?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
AlphaBear 2

Spell words. Make bears.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games