obstruction
thing that blocks movement or view
Something solid that stops people, things, or liquid from moving or being seen in a space or passage.
an obstruction in [a road/pipe/view]
- A fallen tree created an obstruction in the road after the storm.
- Please move your bike; it is an obstruction in front of the fire exit.
- Engineers used a camera to locate an obstruction in the drainpipe.
- The large truck was an obstruction to drivers’ view of the intersection.
- He placed cones on the highway to warn drivers about the obstruction ahead.
- There was an obstruction in the street, so the cars had to stop.
- The boxes are an obstruction in the hallway.
- Workers removed the obstruction from the pipe.
- The sign is an obstruction to my view of the stage.
- We could not enter the room because of an obstruction at the door.
deliberate difficulty to progress
Actions or behavior that purposely make it hard for a plan, change, or process to move forward.
obstruction to [progress/reform/plan]
- The new housing project has met with constant obstruction from local officials.
- She accused the committee of deliberate obstruction of much-needed reforms.
- Progress on the deal was slow due to bureaucratic obstruction at every level.
- The union promised cooperation, not obstruction, during the restructuring process.
- Any obstruction to the investigation will be taken very seriously.
- The plan met with obstruction from some managers.
- He complained about obstruction from the local government.
- There was strong obstruction to the new law.
- They faced obstruction at every step of the project.
- Her ideas met no obstruction and were quickly accepted.
medical blockage in a body passage
A health problem where a tube in the body, like the bowel or airway, is blocked and things cannot move through it.
an obstruction in [an organ/passage]
- The X-ray showed a small bowel obstruction that required immediate treatment.
- Airway obstruction can be life-threatening and must be treated quickly.
- The patient was admitted with symptoms of intestinal obstruction.
- A catheter was inserted to relieve the urinary obstruction.
- Doctors were concerned about a possible obstruction in one of the coronary arteries.
- The child had an airway obstruction and could not breathe well.
- Doctors found a bowel obstruction during surgery.
- Intestinal obstruction can cause strong stomach pain.
- The scan showed a possible obstruction in the patient’s throat.
- Medicine was used to treat the obstruction without surgery.
crime of blocking legal process
A crime where someone tries to stop the police, a court, or another official legal process from working correctly.
charged with obstruction
- He was indicted on several counts of obstruction related to the federal investigation.
- The jury found her guilty of obstruction of justice for destroying evidence.
- Prosecutors are considering obstruction charges if the witnesses lied to investigators.
- The report concluded that there was no criminal obstruction, but criticized the lack of cooperation.
- Obstruction in this case includes any attempt to influence witnesses illegally.
- The politician was charged with obstruction of justice.
- She went to prison for obstruction after hiding evidence.
- Lawyers argued that his actions did not amount to obstruction.
- Obstruction is a serious crime in many countries.
- He was found not guilty of obstruction but paid a fine for another crime.
illegal blocking in sports
In sports, a foul where a player wrongly blocks another player so that the other player cannot play in a fair way.
called for obstruction
- The defender was called for obstruction after stepping into the striker’s path.
- Fans booed when the referee signaled an obstruction foul against the home team.
- In this league, any obstruction away from the ball is penalized immediately.
- The coach complained that the officials were ignoring clear cases of obstruction.
- The replay showed obvious obstruction as the runner tried to reach home plate.
- The player was called for obstruction in the game.
- The referee gave a penalty for obstruction.
- Obstruction is not allowed in this sport.
- He was angry because the referee did not see the obstruction.
- The team lost a point because of an obstruction foul.
- 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.