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
Four were arrested alongside Ossé, and all were charged with obstruction of governmental administration and disorderly conduct, according to the department. —
Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026 Golfweek's Beth Ann Nichols reported that the pool is considered to be a temporary immovable obstruction (TIO), which is governed by a Local Rule. —Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026 Ossé was given a desk appearance ticket and will be charged with obstruction of governmental administration and two counts of disorderly conduct, the NYPD said. —Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 Investigators described these episodes as part of a pattern of obstruction. —John Liu, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obstruction
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026 Golfweek's Beth Ann Nichols reported that the pool is considered to be a temporary immovable obstruction (TIO), which is governed by a Local Rule. —Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026 Ossé was given a desk appearance ticket and will be charged with obstruction of governmental administration and two counts of disorderly conduct, the NYPD said. —Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 Investigators described these episodes as part of a pattern of obstruction. —John Liu, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obstruction
Cite this Entry
“Obstruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/obstruction. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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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