obstruction
/əbˈstrʌkʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /əbˈstrʌkʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /əb-ˈstrək-shən äb-/ (ame, mw)
obstruction — noun
- obstructionsingular
- obstructionsplural
1. something that lies across a road, pipe, or passage and stops people or things f
something that lies across a road, pipe, or passage and stops people or things from moving through, or the condition of being blocked in this way.
A fallen tree was the main obstruction on the mountain road after the storm.
obstruction on + [road / path / route]
The plumber said the pipe obstruction was caused by years of grease buildup.
Chest X-rays showed an obstruction in Mei-Lin's left bronchial tube.
Several large rocks caused a complete obstruction of the narrow canyon trail.
The firefighters worked for hours to clear every obstruction from the collapsed building's entrance.
- passage
the free movement that obstruction prevents
文法句型
obstruction of + noun phrase
obstruction in + noun phrase
be an obstruction to
常見錯誤
2. actions or behaviour that intentionally slow down or prevent a process, plan, or
actions or behaviour that intentionally slow down or prevent a process, plan, or legal procedure from moving forward — for example, refusing to hand over documents during an investigation, or constantly raising procedural objections in a meeting.
The senator was charged with obstruction of justice for hiding evidence from the FBI.
obstruction of justice — legal term for interfering with an investigation
Fatima's constant objections were seen as an obstruction to the committee's decision-making process.
obstruction to + [process]
By refusing to release files, the manager was accused of deliberate obstruction of the audit.
The opposition party's tactics were widely described as pure obstruction rather than genuine debate.
- hindrance
less severe and less formal; suggests slowing rather than deliberate stopping
- interference
focuses on unwanted involvement rather than blocking
- sabotage
more extreme; implies deliberate damage or destruction
- cooperation
working together to make a process succeed
- assistance
helping rather than blocking
文法句型
obstruction of + noun phrase (legal process)
obstruction to + noun phrase
charge someone with obstruction
用法筆記
Frequently used in legal contexts with specific charge names (obstruction of justice, obstruction of a police officer). Subject is typically a person, organisation, or political group. The object is an abstract process, investigation, or piece of legislation — never a physical object.
常見錯誤
3. an illegal move in which a player uses their body to block an opponent who does
an illegal move in which a player uses their body to block an opponent who does not have the ball or puck, preventing the opponent from reaching open space or making a play; a foul in a sporting match.
The referee called obstruction when the defender blocked the striker instead of playing the ball.
call obstruction — referee's decision to penalise the move
In hockey, players are sent to the penalty box for obstruction against an opponent.
Kenji's team lost after a free kick for obstruction near the goal.
Coaches often tell defenders to stay on their feet and avoid committing obstruction.
- blocking
more general; not always a foul (legal in some sports)
- interference
used in baseball, hockey, and American football for similar violations
文法句型
call obstruction on + person
obstruction in + sport name
用法筆記
Most common in British football (soccer), rugby, field hockey, and ice hockey. In American sports, similar actions are usually called 'blocking' (legal in American football) or 'picking' (basketball). Distinguish from sense 1 — this is a rule violation in a game, not a physical object blocking a path.