1. The act or process of blocking or impeding
   "obstruction of justice"
    
2. Any structure that makes progress difficult
   "The old dam was an obstruction to the river's natural flow";
   - obstructor, obstructer, impediment, impedimenta
    
3. The physical condition of blocking or filling a passage with an obstruction
   "The obstruction in the artery led to reduced blood flow";
   - blockage
    
4. Something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
   "the filibuster was a major obstruction to the success of their plan";
   - obstacle
    
5. Getting in someone's way
   "The defender's obstruction prevented the forward from reaching the goal"
    
6. (law) the crime of intentionally hindering a legal investigation or process
   "he was charged with obstruction of justice"

Derived forms: obstructions

Type of: balk, baulk [Brit], check, construction, deterrent, handicap, hinderance [rare], hindrance, impediment, interference, maneuver [US], manoeuvre [Brit, Cdn], physical condition, physiological condition, physiological state, play, structure

Encyclopedia: Obstruction