IN THE WAY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does in the way mean? 

• IN THE WAY (adverb)
  The adverb IN THE WAY has 1 sense:

1. forming a hindrance, impediment, or obstruction

  Familiarity information: IN THE WAY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• IN THE WAY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Forming a hindrance, impediment, or obstruction

Synonyms:

in someone's way; in the way

Context example:

she might have succeeded in her ambition, had not circumstances been in her way

 Context examples 

"It is all in the way of business, sir," I answered.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It appeared, then, that her father would throw no obstacle in the way of Rosamond's union with St. John.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

"I don't wish to be sent off as if I was in the way," began Amy, in an injured voice.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I would have pursued my journey, but he placed himself directly in the way, yet looking with a very mild aspect, never offering the least violence.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

The findings could lead to a major shift in the way children with type 1diabetes are treated.

(Chronic high blood sugar may be detrimental to the developing brain of young children, NIH)

Scientists often use tiny variations in the way an object spins to reveal clues about its internal structure.

(A Closer Look at Mercury’s Spin and Gravity Reveals the Planet’s Inner Solid Core, NASA)

The scientists identified 2 major divisions in the way the language system is organized, resulting in 4 factors: the meaning versus the form of words, and speech recognition versus production.

(Brain Mapping of Language Impairments, NIH)

It was my friend Mrs Rooke; Nurse Rooke; who, by-the-bye, had a great curiosity to see you, and was delighted to be in the way to let you in.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

And she had a deal to mind in the way of poultry and the like, and minded of it, and come through.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

They were in the way wherever he put them.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)