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
Scott Finkbeiner, the sheriff of Hot Spring County who was indicted on federal charges of obstruction of justice and misprision of a felony last November, was arrested again Wednesday on new charges.
—
Daniel McFadin, arkansasonline.com, 12 Apr. 2024
Louisiana Father Arrested After House Fire Kills His 3 Children: 'Tragic and Senseless'
Washington, 30, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and one count of obstruction of justice Thursday, April 11.
—Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Menendez and his wife also face obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice charges.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
That’s in sharp contrast to Musk’s clash with Brazilian authorities, who threatened to regulate social media sites and accused Musk of obstruction this week.
—Isabel Debre, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024
The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office in August brought state charges of conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice against each of the officers.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The six former officers pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice and hinder prosecution, according to a statement from the office of Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch.
—USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
Both pleaded guilty with four other former law enforcement officers last August to multiple felony offenses, including civil rights conspiracy, deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice.
—Brendan O'Brien and Steve Gorman, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Mar. 2024
Those include the extent of the financial losses dealt upon the victims, the defendant’s character and history, whether any obstruction of justice had taken place, the likelihood of recidivism, and so forth.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 28 Mar. 2024
Daniel McFadin, arkansasonline.com, 12 Apr. 2024
Louisiana Father Arrested After House Fire Kills His 3 Children: 'Tragic and Senseless'
Washington, 30, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and one count of obstruction of justice Thursday, April 11.
—Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Menendez and his wife also face obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice charges.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
That’s in sharp contrast to Musk’s clash with Brazilian authorities, who threatened to regulate social media sites and accused Musk of obstruction this week.
—Isabel Debre, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024
The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office in August brought state charges of conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice against each of the officers.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
The six former officers pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice and hinder prosecution, according to a statement from the office of Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch.
—USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
Both pleaded guilty with four other former law enforcement officers last August to multiple felony offenses, including civil rights conspiracy, deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice.
—Brendan O'Brien and Steve Gorman, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Mar. 2024
Those include the extent of the financial losses dealt upon the victims, the defendant’s character and history, whether any obstruction of justice had taken place, the likelihood of recidivism, and so forth.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 28 Mar. 2024
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 17 Apr. 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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