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

Brie Garcia’s husband, Bryan Danielson, is still an active talent for AEW, which is believed to be the major roadblock preventing her return to WWE. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

Today, the same roadblock remains. —Moritz S. Graefrath, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2025

Following a scandal earlier this month, the Miss Universe Organization is facing another roadblock as a judge for the pageant suddenly dropped out ahead of Friday's event. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025

The work of a Colorado nonprofit that teaches relationship skills has hit a roadblock. —Olivia Young, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025

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