obstruction

An obstruction blocks things, like a roadblock prevents drivers to enter a street or a piece of food cuts off your windpipe.

All types of obstructions block things. If you put a shelf in your doorway, that would be an obstruction: people would have a hard time getting around it. In football, offensive linemen try to be obstructions: they stand between the defense and the quarterback. Legally, if someone lies to the police or withholds evidence, they are an obstruction to justice, because they're preventing the police from doing their jobs. All obstructions are impediments; obstructions are in the way.

Definitions of obstruction
  1. noun
    any structure that makes progress difficult
    synonyms: impediment, impedimenta, obstructer, obstructor
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    types:
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    bar
    an obstruction (usually metal) placed at the top of a goal
    barrier
    a structure or object that impedes free movement
    blockade
    something that prevents access or progress
    block, blockage, closure, occlusion, stop, stoppage
    an obstruction in a pipe or tube
    encumbrance, hinderance, hindrance, hitch, incumbrance, interference, preventative, preventive
    any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
    obstacle
    an obstruction that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented)
    tumbler
    a movable obstruction in a lock that must be adjusted to a given position (as by a key) before the bolt can be thrown
    balusters, balustrade, banister, bannister, handrail
    a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
    barricade
    a barrier (usually thrown up hastily) to impede the advance of an enemy
    breakwater, bulwark, groin, groyne, jetty, mole, seawall
    a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away
    breech closer, breechblock
    a metal block in breech-loading firearms that is withdrawn to insert a cartridge and replaced to close the breech before firing
    bulwark
    a fencelike structure around a ship's deck (usually plural)
    clog
    any object that acts as a hindrance or obstruction
    crash barrier
    a strong protective barrier that is erected around a racetrack or in the middle of a dual-lane highway in order to reduce the likelihood of severe accidents
    dam, dike, dyke
    a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
    fence, fencing
    a barrier that serves to enclose an area
    fender, wing
    a barrier that surrounds the wheels of a vehicle to block splashing water or mud
    grate, grating
    a barrier that has parallel or crossed bars blocking a passage but admitting air
    hazard
    an obstacle on a golf course
    hurdle
    a light movable barrier that competitors must leap over in certain races
    lever, lever tumbler
    a flat metal tumbler in a lever lock
    movable barrier
    a barrier that can be moved to allow passage
    pin, pin tumbler
    cylindrical tumblers consisting of two parts that are held in place by springs; when they are aligned with a key the bolt can be thrown
    plug, stopper, stopple
    blockage consisting of an object designed to fill a hole tightly
    rail, railing
    a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
    revetment
    a barrier against explosives
    barricade, roadblock
    a barrier set up by police to stop traffic on a street or road in order to catch a fugitive or inspect traffic etc.
    speed bump
    a hindrance to speeding created by a crosswise ridge in the surface of a roadway
    starting gate, starting stall
    a movable barrier on the starting line of a race course
    stumbling block
    any obstacle or impediment
    vapor lock, vapour lock
    a stoppage in a pipeline caused by gas bubbles (especially a stoppage that develops in hot weather in an internal-combustion engine when fuel in the gas line boils and forms bubbles that block the flow of gasoline to the carburetor)
    water jump
    a pool or stream in a steeplechase or similar contest
    type of:
    construction, structure
    a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
  2. noun
    the physical condition of blocking or filling a passage with an obstruction
    synonyms: blockage
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    types:
    ileus, intestinal obstruction
    blockage of the intestine (especially the ileum) that prevents the contents of the intestine from passing to the lower bowel
    tamponade, tamponage
    blockage or closure (as of a wound or body cavity) by (or as if by) a tampon (especially to stop bleeding)
    cardiac tamponade
    mechanical compression of the heart resulting from large amounts of fluid collecting in the pericardial space and limiting the heart's normal range of motion
    type of:
    physical condition, physiological condition, physiological state
    the condition or state of the body or bodily functions
  3. noun
    the act of obstructing
    “obstruction of justice”
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    types:
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    blockage, closure, occlusion
    the act of blocking
    stall, stalling
    a tactic used to mislead or delay
    obstruction of justice
    impeding those who seek justice in a court (as by trying to influence or intimidate any juror or witness or officer of the court); can result in a finding of contempt of court
    stonewalling
    stalling or delaying especially by refusing to answer questions or cooperate
    implosion
    the initial occluded phase of a stop consonant
    type of:
    hinderance, hindrance, interference
    the act of hindering or obstructing or impeding
  4. noun
    something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
    “the filibuster was a major obstruction to the success of their plan”
    synonyms: obstacle
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    types:
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    barrier, roadblock
    any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective
    hang-up, hitch, rub, snag
    an unforeseen obstacle
    hurdle
    an obstacle that you are expected to overcome
    stymie, stymy
    a thwarting and distressing situation
    ideological barrier
    a barrier to cooperation or interaction resulting from conflicting ideologies
    language barrier
    barrier to communication resulting from speaking different languages
    iron curtain
    any impenetrable barrier preventing the exchange of information or ideas
    type of:
    balk, baulk, check, deterrent, handicap, hinderance, hindrance, impediment
    something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
  5. noun
    getting in someone's way
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    types:
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    block, blocking
    the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements
    check
    obstructing an opponent in ice hockey
    interference
    (American football) blocking a player's path with your body
    trap block
    (American football) an illegal block
    crosscheck
    an illegal check (chopping at an opponent's arms or stick)
    poke check
    knocking the puck away by jabbing at it with the hockey stick
    parry
    (fencing) blocking a lunge or deflecting it with a circular motion of the sword
    type of:
    maneuver, manoeuvre, play
    a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
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