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

Synonyms of obstruction

• obstacle
• hurdle
• embarrassment
• interference
• barrier

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

Nearly a year after 10 inmates escaped a New Orleans jail through a hole in the wall, a special grand jury has indicted the local sheriff on criminal corruption and obstruction charges in connection with the biggest jailbreak in recent American history. —Greg Hilburn, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026

Additional counts included filing or maintaining false public records and obstruction of justice. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026

Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson faces a 30-count grand jury indictment, charging her with malfeasance, obstruction of justice and falsifying public records. —CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has been charged with malfeasance, obstruction of justice and falsifying public records, and a state probe found that her poor management of the Orleans Justice Center led to the escape on May 16. —Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for obstruction

• abduction
• adduction
• conduction
• construction
• deduction
• destruction
• eduction
• induction
• instruction
• production
• reduction
• seduction

Kids 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