| Noun | 1. | obstacle - something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted; "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"deterrent, hinderance, hindrance, impediment, balk, baulk, handicap, check - something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress roadblock, barrier - any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective; "intolerance is a barrier to understanding" hurdle - an obstacle that you are expected to overcome; "the last hurdle before graduation" |
| 2. | obstacle - an obstruction that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented) hazard - an obstacle on a golf course impedimenta, obstruction, obstructor, obstructer, impediment - any structure that makes progress difficult stumbling block - any obstacle or impediment water jump - a pool or stream in a steeplechase or similar contest |