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obstacle

noun
ob·​sta·​cle | \ ˈäb-sti-kəl How to pronounce obstacle (audio) , -ˌsti-\

Definition of obstacle

: something that impedes progress or achievement Mosquitoes were a great obstacle to the building of the Panama Canal. … elders … often facing daily medical, social, and psychological obstacles.— Vicki Bloom and B. B. Green-Field
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Examples of obstacle in a Sentence

He overcame the obstacles of poverty and neglect. They must overcome a number of obstacles before the restaurant can be opened. Lack of experience is a major obstacle for her opponent. She swerved to avoid an obstacle in the road.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 However, single-band extenders have a farther range that can provide better coverage in spaces with many obstacles, such as walls and furniture. — Don Melanson, Popular Mechanics, "The Best Wifi Extenders for Blazing Fast Internet at Home," 29 Aug. 2019 Alabama has some obstacles to hurdle in the SEC: road games against No. — The Si Staff, SI.com, "Bold Predictions for the 2019 College Football Season," 28 Aug. 2019 There’s little reason to think Chinese bond holdings offer much of an obstacle, if the administration is determined to go in this direction. — Benjamin Studebaker, The New Republic, "The Real Stakes of Trump’s Trade War With China," 27 Aug. 2019 An early obstacle for aspiring Alaska growers, Rabung said, is financing, although the state’s revolving loan fund has made its first loan for a kelp farm. — Anchorage Daily News, "Shellfish and seaweed farms are a growing industry in Alaska," 27 Aug. 2019 The movie is very hard on its protagonist, and not all the obstacles, humiliations and setbacks escape the realm of cheap pathos. — Michael Phillips, chicagotribune.com, "‘Brittany Runs a Marathon’ review: Jillian Bell excels as a trainwreck who gets back on the rails," 26 Aug. 2019 That tackled the second prime obstacle: Public opinion. — Dave Hyde, sun-sentinel.com, "Hyde5: The soil isn’t the real contamination with MLS plans in Miami," 22 Aug. 2019 Those leaving prison face daunting obstacles, from barriers to employment to stigma and isolation. — The Economist, "In America, art is helping prisoners adapt to life outside," 22 Aug. 2019 Sestak isn’t daunted by the obvious obstacles, the hard slog and long odds. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "Meet the intriguing presidential candidate you haven’t seen on the debate stage," 17 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'obstacle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of obstacle

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for obstacle

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin obstaculum, from obstare to stand in front of, from ob- in the way + stare to stand — more at ob-, stand

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More Definitions for obstacle

obstacle

noun
How to pronounce obstacle (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of obstacle

: something that makes it difficult to do something
: an object that you have to go around or over : something that blocks your path

See the full definition for obstacle in the English Language Learners Dictionary

obstacle

noun
ob·​sta·​cle | \ ˈäb-stə-kəl How to pronounce obstacle (audio) \

Kids Definition of obstacle

: something that stands in the way or opposes : hindrance

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