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
Patients taking semaglutide had a greater risk of developing serious stomach problems like bowel obstruction and gastroparesis—when the stomach slows down or completely stops the movement of food to the small intestine—according to a JAMA Ophthalmology study.
—
Arianna Johnson, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
Former bank executive guilty of obstruction buys $6M Phoenix-area house The Republic 100: Who ranks where among Arizona's largest nongovernmental employers Is the grocery store open on Labor Day?
—Ken Colburn, The Arizona Republic, 2 Sep. 2024
In July, Menendez was convicted of 16 counts — including bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice and acting as a foreign agent — for his role in a yearslong bribery scheme.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 18 Aug. 2024
If swallowed, these beads can expand inside the gastrointestinal tract and cause bowel obstructions and even death, says Todd Zimmerman, DO, a pediatric emergency medicine physician and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 16 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obstruction 
Arianna Johnson, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
Former bank executive guilty of obstruction buys $6M Phoenix-area house The Republic 100: Who ranks where among Arizona's largest nongovernmental employers Is the grocery store open on Labor Day?
—Ken Colburn, The Arizona Republic, 2 Sep. 2024
In July, Menendez was convicted of 16 counts — including bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice and acting as a foreign agent — for his role in a yearslong bribery scheme.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 18 Aug. 2024
If swallowed, these beads can expand inside the gastrointestinal tract and cause bowel obstructions and even death, says Todd Zimmerman, DO, a pediatric emergency medicine physician and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 16 Aug. 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 12 Sep. 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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