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

Still, developing-nation researchers face a number of hurdles.

From Fortune

The idea still has hurdles to clear before it can be put into practice, but researchers reached for comment were generally intrigued by its potential.

From Quanta Magazine

Just compare those hurdles with what the banks must accomplish to beat the odds.

From Fortune

As with any significant change to how Google presents its results pages, zero-click is not as much of a hurdle as you might think.

From Search Engine Watch

Post acknowledges there have been some initial hurdles to online learning.

From Science News For Students

Once I got over that hurdle, it was as if a huge weight had lifted and I was not scared anymore.

From The Daily Beast

In the meantime, just as the bill passed its first hurdle, snow flakes started to fall down on the Capitol.

From The Daily Beast

As the recruitment process begins, the question of motivation could also prove to be a hurdle.

From The Daily Beast

The final hurdle was a longtime city policy against nicknames in street signs.

From The Daily Beast

But atheists face an additional hurdle—our moral credentials are called into question.

From The Daily Beast

A bamboo hurdle was quickly made, and the store of flesh was placed on it and easily carried on the shoulders of the men.

From Project Gutenberg

As he got there the day began to dawn, and he leaned over a hurdle and beheld the shadows flee away.

From Project Gutenberg

The construction was little more than a colossal hurdle, having beams for rods and chains in the place of wattles.

From Project Gutenberg

It had exhibited under the trial the two chief qualities of a breakwater; it had proved flexible as a hurdle and firm as a wall.

From Project Gutenberg

When he was quite sick he ran one way, and t'other got up roaring and ran another, and they had to send a hurdle for No. 1.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• conquer
• surmount