Definition of: obstruct

(əb·strukt′) v.t.
1. To stop or impede movement through (a way or passage) by obstacles or impediments; barricade; choke; clog.
2. To block or retard the progress or way of; impede; check.
3. To come or be in front of so as to hide from sight. [<L obstructus, pp. of obstruere block up <ob- against + struere pile, build]
—ob·struct′er, ob·struc′tor noun
—ob·struc′tive adjective
—ob·struc′· tive·ly adverb
—ob·struc′tive·ness noun Synonyms: arrest, bar, barricade, check, choke, clog, embarrass, hinder, impede, interrupt, oppose, retard, stay, stop. To obstruct is literally to build up against: The road is obstructed by fallen trees. We may hinder one's advance by following and clinging to him; we obstruct his course by standing in his way. Anything that makes one's progress slower, whether from within or from without, impedes, checks, hinders, retards, or stays; an obstruction to one's progress is always from without. To arrest is to cause to stop suddenly; obstructing the way may have the effect of arresting progress. See CHECK, HINDER, OPPOSE. Antonyms: accelerate, advance, aid, clear, facilitate, forward, free, further, open, promote.