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

But any hopes of a royal reset could hit a major roadblock with the Prince and Princess of Wales. — Lauryn Overhultz , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

These new roadblocks can determine whether students finish degrees, or remain with their partners and children. — Abigail Boggs, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026

Jones agrees and explains how clutter can act like a huge roadblock to achieving a chill look. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 21 Aug. 2026

Today, the largest potential roadblock is state approval for permits to run a massive grid to power the data center. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 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