obstruction
Something solid that stops people, things, or liquid from moving or being seen in a space or passage.
A physical object or structure that blocks movement, flow, or sight along a way, opening, or passage.
Actions or behavior that purposely make it hard for a plan, change, or process to move forward.
The deliberate act or behaviour of making it difficult for something to happen, develop, or move forward.
A health problem where a tube in the body, like the bowel or airway, is blocked and things cannot move through it.
A medical condition in which a bodily passage such as the intestines, airway, or urinary tract is blocked so that substances cannot pass normally.
A crime where someone tries to stop the police, a court, or another official legal process from working correctly.
The criminal offence of deliberately interfering with or trying to prevent the proper operation of the law or an official legal process, especially an investigation or court case.
In sports, a foul where a player wrongly blocks another player so that the other player cannot play in a fair way.
In some sports, an illegal move in which a player blocks or impedes an opponent who does not have the ball or puck, or otherwise prevents them from playing fairly according to the rules.
- Base: obstruction
- Plural: obstruction, obstructions
bowel obstruction
1blockage in the intestine
A serious health problem where the bowel (intestine) is blocked and food and waste cannot move through it.
- The patient was rushed to surgery due to a suspected bowel obstruction.
- Severe abdominal pain and vomiting can be signs of a bowel obstruction.
- Doctors confirmed that the boy’s symptoms were caused by a small bowel obstruction.
cause an obstruction
1create a blockage or hindrance
To make a blockage or problem that stops movement, flow, or progress.
- Parking here will cause an obstruction for other drivers.
- The fallen rocks caused an obstruction on the railway tracks.
- Leaving boxes in the hallway could cause an obstruction in an emergency.
intestinal obstruction
1medical blockage in the intestines
A medical problem where part of the intestine is blocked and material cannot move through normally.
- Intestinal obstruction is a common cause of emergency abdominal surgery.
- The scan showed an intestinal obstruction in the lower part of the small intestine.
- Without treatment, an intestinal obstruction can become life-threatening.
obstruction of justice
1crime of blocking legal authorities
The crime of trying to stop the police, courts, or other legal people from doing their job in the correct way.
- The senator was investigated for possible obstruction of justice after contacting key witnesses.
- He was found guilty of obstruction of justice for destroying documents during the inquiry.
- Obstruction of justice carries a heavy prison sentence in many countries.
urinary obstruction
1blockage of urine flow
A medical problem where urine cannot flow normally because something is blocking the way.
- The enlarged prostate was causing urinary obstruction and pain.
- Long-term urinary obstruction can damage the kidneys.
- A catheter was inserted to relieve the urinary obstruction.
without obstruction
1with nothing blocking progress
With nothing in the way to stop movement, flow, or progress.
- The river now flows without obstruction after the dam was removed.
- Emergency vehicles must be able to pass without obstruction.
- The new rules allow goods to move across the border without obstruction.
airway obstruction
1blockage in the airway
A problem where something blocks the airway so air cannot pass normally.
- Airway obstruction must be treated immediately to prevent brain damage.
- The X-ray showed a severe airway obstruction.
- Doctors intubated the patient to relieve the airway obstruction.
- Choking is a common cause of acute airway obstruction.
- Choking on food is a common cause of sudden airway obstruction.