hurdle

[ hur-dl ]

noun

1. a portable barrier over which contestants must leap in certain running races, usually a wooden frame with a hinged inner frame that swings down under impact to prevent injury to a runner who does not clear it.
2. hurdles, (used with a singular verb) a race in which contestants must leap over a number of such barriers placed at specific intervals around the track. Compare high hurdles, low hurdles.
3. any of various vertical barriers, as a hedge, low wall, or section of fence, over which horses must jump in certain types of turf races, as a steeplechase, but especially an artificial barrier.
4. a difficult problem to be overcome; obstacle.
5. Chiefly British. a movable rectangular frame of interlaced twigs, crossed bars, or the like, as for a temporary fence.
6. a frame or sled on which criminals, especially traitors, were formerly drawn to the place of execution.

verb (used with object)

, hur·dled, hur·dling.

1. to leap over (a hurdle, barrier, fence, etc.), as in a race.
2. to master (a difficulty, problem, etc.); overcome.
3. to construct with hurdles; enclose with hurdles.

verb (used without object)

, hur·dled, hur·dling.

1. to leap over a hurdle or other barrier.

hurdle

/ ˈhɜːdəl /

noun

1. 1. athletics one of a number of light barriers over which runners leap in certain events
   2. a low barrier used in certain horse races
2. an obstacle to be overcome
3. a light framework of interlaced osiers, wattle, etc, used as a temporary fence
4. a sledge on which criminals were dragged to their executions

verb

1. to jump (a hurdle, etc), as in racing
2. tr to surround with hurdles
3. tr to overcome

Derived Forms

• ˈhurdler, noun

Other Words From

• hurdler noun
• un·hurdled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hurdle¹

before 900; Middle English hirdel, hurdel (noun), Old English hyrdel, equivalent to hyrd- + -el noun suffix; compare German Hürde hurdle; akin to Latin crātis hurdle, wickerwork, Greek kýrtos basket, cage, Sanskrit kṛt spin

Word History and Origins

Origin of hurdle¹

Old English hyrdel; related to Gothic haurds door, Old Norse hurth door, Old High German hurd, Latin crātis, Greek kurtos basket

Example Sentences

Of course, the steeper hurdle is getting people to eat something that many view as garbage.

From Salon

In Los Angeles, where getting across town can seem like a cage battle, the vehicles’ limits on freeway driving could pose a hurdle, making trips longer and more costly.

From Los Angeles Times

Atomo’s main business hurdle now is finding large coffee partners who want to offer their consumers a new choice, while Northern Wonder’s is finding the right investors.

From BBC

The biggest hurdle here — literally in some cases — are the handful of root-busted, near impassable sidewalks.

From Los Angeles Times

But Trump and his legal advisers will not face that hurdle.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conquer
• surmount