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
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
CaBot diagnosed an obstruction in the small intestines, possibly owing to volvulus or a hernia.
—
Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Robinson faces seven felonies, including discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering for allegedly instructing his roommate not to cooperate with authorities.
—Cheryl McCloud, Freep.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Lisa Marie died in 2023 from a small bowel obstruction at age 54.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Lisa Marie, 54, Elvis Presley’s only child, died of a small bowel obstruction (a complication of bariatric surgery) six weeks after the film finished shooting.
—Kim Willis, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
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Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Robinson faces seven felonies, including discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering for allegedly instructing his roommate not to cooperate with authorities.
—Cheryl McCloud, Freep.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Lisa Marie died in 2023 from a small bowel obstruction at age 54.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Lisa Marie, 54, Elvis Presley’s only child, died of a small bowel obstruction (a complication of bariatric surgery) six weeks after the film finished shooting.
—Kim Willis, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
Cite this Entry
“Obstruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstruction. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
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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