obstruction
UK: əbˈstrʌkʃən | US: əbˈstrʌkʃən
n. 1. The action of obstructing or the state of being obstructed.
n. 2. A thing that impedes or prevents progress; an obstacle.
n. 3. (Law) The offense of deliberately hindering a legal process.
The word "obstruction" originates from Latin obstructio, derived from obstruere ("to block up"), combining ob- (against) + struere (to build or pile). The morpheme obstruct retains the core idea of blocking, while -ion nominalizes the action. Historically, it evolved from physical blocking (e.g., barricades) to abstract hindrances (e.g., legal delays).
The fallen tree caused an obstruction on the road.
Bureaucratic red tape often leads to unnecessary obstruction of projects.
The athlete was penalized for deliberate obstruction of his opponent.
The protest aimed to highlight the obstruction of justice in the case.
Clearing the obstruction restored the flow of traffic.