obstruction
noun
ob·struc·tion
əb-ˈstrək-shən 
äb-
1
a
: the state of being obstructed
especially
: a condition of being clogged or blocked
an intestinal obstruction
She died from an obstruction of the airway.
b
: an act of obstructing
Passage of the law was delayed by the congressman's obstruction.
2
: something that obstructs
removing obstructions that block the path
a view without obstruction
Examples of obstruction in a Sentence
They are removing trees and other obstructions from the path.
cases of intestinal obstruction in children
She died from an obstruction of the airway.
He is on trial for the obstruction of a criminal investigation.
Recent Examples on the Web
So, the two charges here are obstruction and concealment.
—
ABC News, 27 Apr. 2025
In 2019, during Trump’s first presidency, a Massachusetts District Court judge, Shelley Joseph, was federally indicted by the Justice Department on obstruction of justice charges after preventing an ICE officer from taking custody of a defendant who was undocumented.
—Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
On April 21, Nadine Menendez, the wife of former Senator Bob Menendez, was convicted of 15 counts of bribery, conspiracy and obstruction of justice following a three-week trial.
—Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
In many parts of the country, security threats and deliberate obstructions mean that the United Nations and many international aid groups have no presence.
—Declan Walsh, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
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ABC News, 27 Apr. 2025
In 2019, during Trump’s first presidency, a Massachusetts District Court judge, Shelley Joseph, was federally indicted by the Justice Department on obstruction of justice charges after preventing an ICE officer from taking custody of a defendant who was undocumented.
—Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
On April 21, Nadine Menendez, the wife of former Senator Bob Menendez, was convicted of 15 counts of bribery, conspiracy and obstruction of justice following a three-week trial.
—Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
In many parts of the country, security threats and deliberate obstructions mean that the United Nations and many international aid groups have no presence.
—Declan Walsh, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
Cite this Entry
“Obstruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstruction. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obstruction
noun
ob·struc·tion
əb-ˈstrək-shən
äb-
1
: an act of obstructing : the state of being obstructed
2
: something that gets in the way : obstacle
Medical Definition
obstruction
noun
ob·struc·tion
əb-ˈstrək-shən, äb-
1
a
: an act of obstructing
b
: a condition of being clogged or blocked
intestinal obstruction
2
: something that obstructs
dislodge an airway obstruction
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