noun
obstacle
OBS-tuh-kuhl
noun
1
Something that blocks progress or makes it harder to move forward, whether physical or figurative.
"A fallen tree was the only obstacle on the trail."
"Lack of funding was the biggest obstacle to finishing the project."
How to Use Obstacle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAnything standing in the way of progress.
Common pairings
overcome an obstacle
obstacle course
a major obstacle
Word Forms
obstacles plural
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A fallen tree was the only _____ on the trail.
Etymology
From Old French obstacle, from Latin obstaculum, related to obstare, "to stand in the way".