OBSTACLE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does obstacle mean? 

• OBSTACLE (noun)
  The noun OBSTACLE has 2 senses:

1. something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted

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

  Familiarity information: OBSTACLE used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OBSTACLE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

obstacle; obstruction

Context example:

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

Hypernyms ("obstacle" 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 "obstacle"):

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 2

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

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

impediment; impedimenta; obstructer; obstruction; obstructor (any structure that makes progress difficult)

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

hazard (an obstacle on a golf course)

stumbling block (any obstacle or impediment)

water jump (a pool or stream in a steeplechase or similar contest)

 Context examples 

Uranus in Taurus at three degrees is precisely square the new moon, bringing obstacles and setbacks.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

My star vanished as I drew near: some obstacle had intervened between me and it.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Despite the obstacles, astronomers were confident that finding such a signal would be possible, thanks to previous research indicating that the first stars released tremendous amounts of ultraviolet (UV) light.

(Astronomers detect ancient signal from first stars in universe, National Science Foundation)

The money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It can climb a 20-degree hill or an obstacle up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) tall.

(Chinese Rover Making Tracks on Dark Side of the Moon, VOA)

“My dear Copperfield,” cried Traddles, punctually appearing at my door, in spite of all these obstacles, “how do you do?”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

When the scientists tested E. coli inside these obstacle courses, they were surprised at the speed at which the bacteria found a food source.

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

We stood with bitter hearts staring at this unexpected obstacle.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The force of the rush of water was checked by this obstacle, but it still squirted plentifully from every side of it.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Two obstacles of the five being thus removed, Mrs. Bennet sat looking and winking at Elizabeth and Catherine for a considerable time, without making any impression on them.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)