roadblock

noun

road·​block ˈrōd-ˌbläk How to pronounce roadblock (audio)
Synonyms of roadblocknext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Here, Amer plays a fictional version of himself, a Palestinian refugee who is trying to get legal status while encountering personal and professional roadblocks at every turn. Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 The president, with America’s 250th celebration, has an opportunity to reshape the city of Washington without the kind of roadblocks that have at times slowed his national efforts. Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 3 July 2026 The Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness programs faced a shaky timeline, characterized by persistent legal roadblocks, which culminated in a 2023 Supreme Court defeat. Paxton Honerkamp, CNBC, 2 July 2026 But the talks have hit a roadblock on CityFHEPS, the city’s housing voucher program, which allows recipients to pay about a third of their income toward rent, with the city paying the rest. Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for roadblock

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of roadblock was in 1913

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Roadblock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roadblock. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

roadblock

noun
road·​block -ˌbläk How to pronounce roadblock (audio)
: 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

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