obstruct

obstruct
UK [əbˈstrʌkt] / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "obstruct":
present tense I/you/we/they obstruct he/she/it obstructs present participle obstructing past tense obstructed past participle obstructed
1) to block a path, passage, door etc so that it is difficult or impossible for someone or something to move along or through it

Tenants must not obstruct access to fire equipment.

Seven people were arrested for allegedly obstructing a highway.

The child must have swallowed something that's obstructing his windpipe.

a) to physically prevent someone or something from moving along or through a path, passage, door etc by blocking it

An accident is obstructing the traffic at junction 14.

b) to prevent you from seeing something by being between you and the object that you want to see

The trees in their garden obstruct our view of the sea.

2) to take action in order to prevent someone from doing something or to prevent something from happening

He disliked the project but had not actively obstructed it.


English dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Obstruct — Ob*struct , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Obstructed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Obstructing}.] [L. obstructus, p. p. of obstruere to build up before or against, to obstruct; ob (see {Ob }) + struere to pile up. See {Structure}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To block up; to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • obstruct — I verb bar, barricade, block, brake, bridle, bring to a standstill, check, choke, circumscribe, congest, countervail, cramp, cripple, curb, debar, delay, disable, embar, encumber, estop, forbid, frustrate, halt, hamper, hamstring, handicap,… …   Law dictionary

  • obstruct — (v.) 1610s, from L. obstructus, pp. of obstruere to block, to stop up (see OBSTRUCTION (Cf. obstruction)). Related: Obstructed; obstructing …   Etymology dictionary

  • obstruct — impede, block, *hinder, bar, dam Analogous words: *prevent, preclude, obviate, avert: *restrain, check, curb, inhibit …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • obstruct — [v] prevent, restrict arrest, bar, barricade, block, check, choke, clog, close, congest, crab, curb, cut off, drag one’s feet*, fill, foul up, frustrate, get in the way*, hamper, hamstring*, hang up*, hide, hinder, hold up, impede, inhibit,… …   New thesaurus

  • obstruct — ► VERB 1) be in the way of; block. 2) prevent or hinder. DERIVATIVES obstructive adjective obstructor noun. ORIGIN Latin obstruere, from struere pile up …   English terms dictionary

  • obstruct — [əb strukt′] vt. [< L obstructus, pp. of obstruere, to block up, build against < ob (see OB ) + struere, to pile up: see STREW] 1. to block or stop up (a passage) with obstacles or impediments; dam; clog 2. to hinder (progress, an activity …   English World dictionary

  • obstruct — [[t]ɒbstrʌ̱kt[/t]] obstructs, obstructing, obstructed 1) VERB If something obstructs a road or path, it blocks it, stopping people or vehicles getting past. [V n] Tractors and container lorries have completely obstructed the road. Syn: block 2)… …   English dictionary

  • obstruct — To hinder or prevent from progress, check, stop, also to retard the progress of, make accomplishment of difficult and slow. Conley v. United States, C.C.A.Minn., 59 F.2d 929, 936. To be or come in the way of or to cut off the sight of an object.… …   Black's law dictionary

  • obstruct — ob|struct [ əb strʌkt ] verb transitive 1. ) to block a path, passage, door, etc. so that it is difficult or impossible for someone or something to move along or through it: Tenants must not obstruct access to fire equipment. Seven people were… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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