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

These judgments, while weighty, are not roadblocks. —Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025

The board has proven to be a potential roadblock to the Trump administration's efforts to carry out mass firings of probationary workers, meaning those recently given their positions. —John Kruzel, USA Today, 23 May 2025

However, India is reluctant to let goods like agriculture and dairy be imported, which is likely proving to be a roadblock in the negotiations, said former Indian Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation Jayant Dasgupta. —Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 22 May 2025

Law enforcement agencies across Louisiana continue to coordinate efforts in the search, utilizing roadblocks, helicopters, and K-9 units in the hope of bringing the remaining escapees to justice. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 21 May 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