obstacle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
    obstruction.
    • lack of imagination is an obstacle to one's advancement
    • the poverty of a district is an obstacle to good education
    • the filibuster was a major obstruction to the success of their plan
  2. noun an obstruction that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented)

WordNet

Ob"sta*cle noun
Etymology
F., fr. L. obstaculum, fr. obstare to withstand, oppose; ob (see Ob-) + stare to stand. See Stand. and cf. Oust, v.
Definitions
  1. That which stands in the way, or opposes; anything that hinders progress; a hindrance; an obstruction, physical or moral.
    If all obstacles were cut away. And that my path were even to the crown. Shak.
    Syn. -- Impediment; obstuction; hindrance; difficulty. See Impediment, and Obstruction.

Webster 1913