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

Wu and other leaders of the progressive ilk are determined to throw up as many roadblocks as possible. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026

But Harvey had somehow secured a placard to get our car through the police roadblocks and checkpoints to the still-smoldering site. —Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026

The Boston Celtics have re-emerged as a roadblock in the East, and the Indiana Pacers are positioned to join them again next season. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026

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