roadblock

American  

[rohd-blok] / ˈroʊdˌblɒk /

noun

1. an obstruction placed across a road, especially of barricades or police cars, for halting or hindering traffic, as to facilitate the capture of a pursued car or inspection for safety violations.

2. an obstruction on a road, as a fallen tree or a pile of fallen rocks.

3. a hastily built barricade, as of barbed wire, erected across a road to hold up the advance of an enemy.

4. an action, condition, etc., that obstructs progress toward an objective.

   Nationalism is a roadblock to European unity.

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verb (used with object)

1. to halt or obstruct with or as if with a roadblock.

roadblock British  

/ ˈrəʊdˌblɒk /

noun

1. a barrier set up across a road by the police or military, in order to stop a fugitive, inspect traffic, etc

2. a difficulty or obstacle to progress

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Etymology

Origin of roadblock

First recorded in 1935–40; road + block

Example Sentences

Ontario Christian and Etiwanda had been the roadblocks in recent years in denying Sierra Canyon a chance to dance.

From Los Angeles Times

She dreamed of working in Australia for a year, but the medication that changed her life proved to be the roadblock in making that dream a reality.

From BBC

Wine, 44, alleged that the authorities had repeatedly raided the homes of his supporters looking for him, including as recently as Thursday, as well as setting up roadblocks around the country.

From BBC

That roadblock arises from a program called Prevention of Significant Deterioration.

From The Wall Street Journal

Maybe the tour wouldn't have been such a roadblock to her creativity, after all?

From BBC

Related Words

• barricade
• blockade