Obstruction /əbˈstrʌkʃən/ is a common word in the English language that refers to the act of blocking or hindering something. The word is spelled using the letter "o" followed by the letter "b," which represents the "uh" sound, and then the letters "s," "t," "r," "u," "c," and "t," which are pronounced as they appear. The final three letters, "i," "o," and "n," represent the "shun" sound, forming a suffix seen in many words in the English language.
Obstruction is a noun that refers to the act or state of blocking, hindering, or impeding something or someone's progress or movement. It can also relate to an object or condition that causes an obstacle or barrier. Commonly associated with physical hindrance, obstruction can also apply to a wide range of contexts, including legal, bureaucratic, political, and emotional scenarios.
In a physical sense, an obstruction can be anything that stands in the way or prevents something from flowing or moving freely. This could involve a physical barrier like a wall, fence, or barricade, or it could refer to an object that hampers passage, such as a fallen tree on a road or debris blocking a waterway.
In a more abstract sense, obstruction can refer to obstacles that impede progress, development, or success in non-physical situations. For instance, in a legal context, obstruction of justice would involve actions taken to prevent the course of justice, disrupt an investigation, or hinder the legal process. Similarly, in politics, obstructionism refers to deliberate efforts to delay or prevent the implementation of policies or legislative measures.
Furthermore, obstruction can also manifest in emotional or interpersonal scenarios. Psychological obstruction may involve barriers preventing personal growth, positive relationships, or effective communication. It can also refer to mental blockages, fears, or insecurities that hinder progress or problem-solving.
Overall, obstruction encompasses a broad range of obstacles, barriers, or hindrances that disrupt or limit forward movement, whether in physical, legal, political, or emotional domains.
1. Anything that is in the way, that blocks advance. 2. The blocking of advance or interruption in the course of anything.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Anything which hinders passage or progress; impediment.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "obstruction" originated from the Latin word "obstructio", which is derived from the verb "obstruere". "Obstruere" is a combination of "ob-" (meaning "against" or "in the way") and "struere" (meaning "to build" or "to pile up"). Therefore, "obstruction" literally means something that is built or piled up against, or in the way of, progress or passage.