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

Fraught with physical, financial and political complexities and public debate over what to build, redevelopment unfolded gradually and hit numerous roadblocks. —ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026

Jalisco cartel lieutenants threw up flaming roadblocks in 20 of Mexico’s 32 states, according to the government. —Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026

Mexico's president said cartel roadblocks had been cleared from Mexico's highways and that flights would resume in a few days. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026

Ávila said that public transit is operating regularly and there have been no reports of roadblocks. —Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 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