Library / English Dictionary

OBSTRUCTION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Getting in someone's way

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("obstruction" is a kind of...):

maneuver; manoeuvre; play (a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "obstruction"):

block; blocking (the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements)

check (obstructing an opponent in ice hockey)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of obstructing

Example:

obstruction of justice

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("obstruction" is a kind of...):

hinderance; hindrance; interference (the act of hindering or obstructing or impeding)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "obstruction"):

blockage; closure; occlusion (the act of blocking)

stall; stalling (a tactic used to mislead or delay)

obstruction of justice (impeding those who seek justice in a court (as by trying to influence or intimidate any juror or witness or officer of the court); can result in a finding of contempt of court)

Derivation:

obstruct (block passage through)

obstruct (hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Any structure that makes progress difficult

Synonyms:

impediment; impedimenta; obstructer; obstruction; obstructor

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("obstruction" is a kind of...):

construction; structure (a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "obstruction"):

tumbler (a movable obstruction in a lock that must be adjusted to a given position (as by a key) before the bolt can be thrown)

obstacle (an obstruction that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented))

encumbrance; hinderance; hindrance; hitch; incumbrance; interference; preventative; preventive (any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome)

block; blockage; closure; occlusion; stop; stoppage (an obstruction in a pipe or tube)

blockade (prevents access or progress)

barrier (a structure or object that impedes free movement)

bar (an obstruction (usually metal) placed at the top of a goal)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted

Example:

the filibuster was a major obstruction to the success of their plan

Synonyms:

obstacle; obstruction

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("obstruction" is a kind of...):

balk; baulk; check; deterrent; handicap; hinderance; hindrance; impediment (something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "obstruction"):

barrier; roadblock (any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective)

hang-up; hitch; rub; snag (an unforeseen obstacle)

hurdle (an obstacle that you are expected to overcome)

stymie; stymy (a thwarting and distressing situation)

Sense 5

Meaning:

The physical condition of blocking or filling a passage with an obstruction

Synonyms:

blockage; obstruction

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("obstruction" is a kind of...):

physical condition; physiological condition; physiological state (the condition or state of the body or bodily functions)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "obstruction"):

ileus; intestinal obstruction (blockage of the intestine (especially the ileum) that prevents the contents of the intestine from passing to the lower bowel)

tamponade; tamponage (blockage or closure (as of a wound or body cavity) by (or as if by) a tampon (especially to stop bleeding))

Credits

 Context examples: 

It is due to upper airway obstruction.

(Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

A finding indicating increased bilirubin levels in the blood and urine, due to intrahepatic or extrahepatic obstruction of the biliary system.

(Obstructive Jaundice, NCI Thesaurus)

Retention cysts are gross enlargements of pancreatic ducts secondary to ductal obstruction.

(Pancreatic Cyst, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

A usually congenital abnormality characterized by the partial obstruction of the junction between the renal pelvis and ureter.

(Pelviureteric Junction Obstruction, NCI Thesaurus)

A tiny obstacle course for bacteria has shown researchers how E. coli changes its behavior to rapidly clear obstructions to food.

(Bacteria change behavior to tackle tiny obstacle course, National Science Foundation)

It may result in bowel obstruction.

(Advanced Peritoneal Malignant Mesothelioma, NCI Thesaurus)

Issue associated with an obstruction or blockage within any of the device components (e.g. tube, opening, pipe) that results in a restriction of flow.

(Occlusion within Medical Device, Food and Drug Administration)

Tissue congestion due to the obstruction of venous blood flow return.

(Passive Congestion, NCI Thesaurus)

The secretions of exocrine glands are abnormal, resulting in excessively viscid mucus production which causes obstruction of passageways (including pancreatic and bile ducts, intestines, and bronchi).

(Cystic Fibrosis, NCI Thesaurus)

Deficient blood distribution to the limbs caused by narrowing or obstruction of the lumen of the peripheral arteries.

(Peripheral Ischemia, NCI Thesaurus)