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
According to the complaint, in June 2019, Ward went to the hospital and required surgery after a small bowel obstruction, which was complicated by a hernia and the presence of scar tissue from seven-year old stab wounds.
—
Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
Gledhill is facing nine charges including one count of first degree murder, five counts of felony obstruction of justice, one count of tampering with a witness and one count of abuse or desecration of a dead human body, according to court records.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2024
Benjamin died by suicide at age 27 in 2020, and Lisa Marie died three years later at age 54 of a small bowel obstruction, a long-term complication from bariatric surgery.
—Brianne Tracy, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024
Presley died at age 54 on Jan. 12 2023, due to complications of a small bowel obstruction, a long-term complication from bariatric surgery.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obstruction 
Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
Gledhill is facing nine charges including one count of first degree murder, five counts of felony obstruction of justice, one count of tampering with a witness and one count of abuse or desecration of a dead human body, according to court records.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2024
Benjamin died by suicide at age 27 in 2020, and Lisa Marie died three years later at age 54 of a small bowel obstruction, a long-term complication from bariatric surgery.
—Brianne Tracy, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024
Presley died at age 54 on Jan. 12 2023, due to complications of a small bowel obstruction, a long-term complication from bariatric surgery.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obstruction
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 30 Oct. 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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