From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishobstructob‧struct /əbˈstrʌkt/ verb [transitive] 1 TTPREVENTto block a road, passage etc SYN block A small aircraft was obstructing the runway. The column obstructed our view of the stage.2 PREVENTto prevent someone from doing something or something from happening, by making it difficult SYN block The group is trying to obstruct the peace process. He was fined for obstructing the work of the police.→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
obstruct• Views of the bay are obstructed.• Baldwin then sprays the shaving cream on the window and smears it to obstruct any view of his home.• The driveway was obstructed by piles of stones and gravel.• The House of Lords has been accused of obstructing change and preventing scientific progress.• He drank coffee and brandy, then dived in for another assault, feeling as if the databanks were deliberately obstructing him.• A wall of people in front of me were obstructing my view.• Officials are hoping that none of these issues will obstruct progress in the peace talks.• In fact I cause a car accident by obstructing some one's driveway.• Robbins was accused of obstructing the investigation.• This keeps sawdust out of the way without obstructing the line of cut.• Out in the street he stood for a while, obstructing the pavement.• It is an offence to obstruct the police during the course of their duty.• A small aircraft now obstructed the runway.• Violence, insults, and superheated propaganda obstruct this end.• The carport and Land-Rover obstructed Trent's view of the windows.• The truck was on its side, obstructing two lanes of traffic.Origin obstruct (1600-1700) Latin past participle of obstruere “to build in the way” 