obstruction

UK: /əbˈstrʌkʃ^ən/ US: /ɑbˈstrʌkʃən/ ,(əb struk′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ob•struc•tion /ɑbˈstrʌkʃən/   n. 

1. [countable] something that obstructs something else:
   The tanks rolled over the obstructions the farmers had placed in their path.
2. the act of obstructing something:
   [uncountable] obstruction of justice.
See -stru-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ob•struc•tion  (əb struk′shən), n. 

1. something that obstructs, blocks, or closes up with an obstacle or obstacles;
   obstacle or hindrance:
   obstructions to navigation.
2. an act or instance of obstructing.
3. the state of being obstructed.
4. Government the delaying or preventing of business before a deliberative body, esp. a legislative group, by parliamentary contrivances.

• Latin obstructiōn- (stem of obstructiō) barrier. See obstruct, -ion
• 1525–35

Synonyms

• 1. barrier, bar, impediment. See obstacle. 
• 3. stoppage.

Antonyms

• 1, 3. encouragement.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

obstruction / əbˈstrʌkʃən/ noun

1. a person or thing that obstructs
2. the act or an instance of obstructing
3. delay of business, esp in a legislature by means of procedural devices
4. the act of unfairly impeding an opposing player

obˈstructional adjective