noun
hurdle
HURDL
noun
1
A barrier that a runner or horse must jump over during a race.
"She cleared the final hurdle just ahead of the leader."
2
An obstacle or difficulty that must be overcome.
"Getting funding was the biggest hurdle for the new business."
"Passing the exam is just one more hurdle before graduation."
verb
1
To jump over something while running, or to overcome a difficulty.
"The athlete hurdled the barrier without breaking stride."
"The team hurdled every setback to finish the project on time."
How to Use Hurdle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA physical barrier to jump over, or figuratively, any obstacle standing in your way.
Common pairings
clear a hurdle
jump a hurdle
overcome a hurdle
a major hurdle
Word Forms
hurdled past tense, hurdles plural, Hurdles plural, hurdles singular
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Etymology
From Old English hyrdel, a woven frame of twigs used as a temporary fence — the racing sense of "barrier to leap" grew out of this literal fence.