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
Eventually, if the bowel becomes blocked, a bowel obstruction occurs, and emergency surgery may become necessary, Melmed says.
—
Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024
Trump was also charged with obstruction of Congress for encouraging a mob of supporters protest at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when lawmakers were counting Electoral College votes to certify Biden’s victory.
—Bart Jansen, The Courier-Journal, 25 Nov. 2024
Menendez, of New Jersey, 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.
—CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
Look for a panorama with minimal obstructions to the southern horizon; the northern banks of a large lake looking south, or the island’s southern coast looking out to sea, are ideal.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obstruction 
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Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024
Trump was also charged with obstruction of Congress for encouraging a mob of supporters protest at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when lawmakers were counting Electoral College votes to certify Biden’s victory.
—Bart Jansen, The Courier-Journal, 25 Nov. 2024
Menendez, of New Jersey, 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.
—CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
Look for a panorama with minimal obstructions to the southern horizon; the northern banks of a large lake looking south, or the island’s southern coast looking out to sea, are ideal.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obstruction
Dictionary Entries Near obstruction
Cite this Entry
“Obstruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstruction. Accessed 18 Dec. 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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