obstruct

[ uhb-struhkt ]
/ əbˈstrʌkt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR obstruct ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to block or close up with an obstacle; make difficult to pass: Debris obstructed the road.
to interrupt, hinder, or oppose the passage, progress, course, etc., of.
to block from sight; to be in the way of (a view, passage, etc.).

Origin of obstruct

First recorded in 1605–15, obstruct is from the Latin word obstructus (past participle of obstruere to build or pile up in the way, bar). See ob-, construct

OTHER WORDS FROM obstruct

Words nearby obstruct

obstetrics, obstinacy, obstinate, obstipation, obstreperous, obstruct, obstructed testis, obstruction, obstructionist, obstructive apnea, obstructive dysmenorrhea

Words related to obstruct

hinder, inhibit, thwart, stymie, retard, stonewall, interfere, stall, impede, curb, obscure, hamper, block, clog, shield, terminate, hamstring, close, check, fill

Example sentences from the Web for obstruct

British Dictionary definitions for obstruct

obstruct
/ (əbˈstrʌkt) /

verb (tr)

to block (a road, passageway, etc) with an obstacle
to make (progress or activity) difficult
to impede or block a clear view of

Derived forms of obstruct

obstructor, noun obstructive, adjective, noun obstructively, adverb obstructiveness, noun

Word Origin for obstruct

C17: Latin obstructus built against, past participle of obstruere, from ob- against + struere to build

Medical definitions for obstruct

obstruct
[ əb-strŭkt′, ŏb- ]

v.

To block or close a body passage so as to hinder or interrupt a flow.

Other words from obstruct

ob•struc′tive adj.