roadblock

noun

road·​block ˈrōd-ˌbläk 

1

a

: a barricade often with traps or mines for holding up an enemy at a point on a road covered by fire

b

: a road barricade set up especially by law enforcement officers

2

: an obstruction in a road

3

: something that blocks progress or prevents accomplishment of an objective

roadblock transitive verb

Examples of roadblock in a Sentence

That's the one roadblock to the plan.

roadblocks on the path to success

Recent Examples on the Web

However, as seen with Trump’s rolling back of former President Joe Biden’s executive orders, many House Republicans are working to codify these policies to prevent them from being rescinded down the line or to place a legal roadblock in the way of Democratic challengers. —Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Jan. 2025

On Wednesday, Korea Zinc erected a last-minute roadblock. —Daisuke Wakabayashi, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

That said, a potential roadblock to his plans has emerged: rumors of a massive fight with former UFC champion Conor McGregor. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

For the second straight season, the Texans and C.J. Stroud run into a divisional-round roadblock. —Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids Definition

roadblock

noun

road·​block -ˌbläk 

: a blocking of a road (as by police officers)

Legal Definition

roadblock

noun

road·​block

: a road barricade set up by law enforcement officers especially for the purpose of detecting criminal activity