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
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
Six months after his body was found, Coleman, 42, of Shreveport, La., was arrested and charged with aiding, inducing or causing murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death and obstruction of justice.
—
Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024
Court records show Shockley had been convicted on multiple counts of felony menacing, harassment, assault, drug possession with intention to distribute, and obstruction of justice in Park, Denver and Arapahoe counties.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 16 May 2024
Uribe pleaded guilty to seven counts including bribery, conspiracy and obstruction.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 13 May 2024
Uribe pleaded guilty to seven charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, honest services wire fraud, obstruction of justice and tax evasion, and agreed to cooperate with investigators earlier this year.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for obstruction 
Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024
Court records show Shockley had been convicted on multiple counts of felony menacing, harassment, assault, drug possession with intention to distribute, and obstruction of justice in Park, Denver and Arapahoe counties.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 16 May 2024
Uribe pleaded guilty to seven counts including bribery, conspiracy and obstruction.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 13 May 2024
Uribe pleaded guilty to seven charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, honest services wire fraud, obstruction of justice and tax evasion, and agreed to cooperate with investigators earlier this year.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for obstruction
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obstruction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near obstruction
Cite this Entry
“Obstruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstruction. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
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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