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

However, excess temperance shows up in leaders who often create many roadblocks for why something can’t happen or, like the race car analogy, seem to be riding the brakes all the time. —Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025

Multitasking can also affect your mood, creating another roadblock to completing tasks. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025

The couple faced a series of roadblocks early on in their partnership. —Nicole Briese, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025

The roadblock appeared to be loosening earlier this year, when companies like StubHub and Klarna filed their prospectuses, but then President Donald Trump roiled the markets in April with his plans for sweeping tariffs. —Samantha Subin, CNBC, 15 Aug. 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