noun
roadblock
Roadblock (noun) means a barrier set up across a road, often by police or the military, to stop or check traffic. Example: “Police set up a roadblock after the robbery to check every car leaving town.”
noun
1
A barrier set up across a road, often by police or the military, to stop or check traffic.
"Police set up a roadblock after the robbery to check every car leaving town."
2
Something that gets in the way of progress; an obstacle.
"Lack of funding became the biggest roadblock to finishing the project."
How to use roadblock
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA barrier stopping traffic, or more generally, anything blocking progress.
Common pairings
hit a roadblock
set up a roadblock
legal roadblock
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Word forms
- Plural
- roadblocks
- Third person singular
- roadblocks
- Past tense
- roadblocked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Police set up a _____ after the robbery to check every car leaving town.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of "road" + "block," first used for physical traffic barriers before being extended to mean any obstacle.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “roadblock” mean?
The word “roadblock” means a barrier set up across a road, often by police or the military, to stop or check traffic. In plain terms, a barrier stopping traffic, or more generally, anything blocking progress.
How do you use “roadblock” in a sentence?
Here is “roadblock” used in a sentence: “Police set up a roadblock after the robbery to check every car leaving town.”
What part of speech is “roadblock”?
“Roadblock” is a noun.
How many meanings does “roadblock” have?
“Roadblock” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a barrier set up across a road, often by police or the military, to stop or check traffic.
