obstacle

The word “obstacle” means something that blocks progress or makes it harder to move forward, whether physical or figurative. In plain terms, anything standing in the way of progress.

“Obstacle” is pronounced OBS-tuh-kuhl (/ˈɑbstəkəl/ in IPA).

Here is “obstacle” used in a sentence: “A fallen tree was the only obstacle on the trail.”

“Obstacle” is a noun.

The word “obstacle” comes from Latin. From Old French obstacle, from Latin obstaculum, related to obstare, "to stand in the way".

“Obstacle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

An obstacle is anything, physical or figurative, that blocks progress or makes it harder to move forward, such as a difficult exam or a fallen tree. An obstruction usually refers more specifically to a physical object or blockage that literally gets in the way, such as debris blocking a road.

An obstacle is something that blocks or hinders progress, while a challenge is a task or situation that tests someone's abilities and may or may not involve a blockage. A challenge can be sought out deliberately, whereas an obstacle is usually seen as an unwanted hindrance to overcome.

To overcome an obstacle means to successfully deal with or get past something that was blocking progress, whether it is a physical barrier or a figurative difficulty. The phrase is common in discussions of personal achievement, sports, and problem-solving.