{
    "term": "obstacle",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "ox5000": true,
    "cefr": "b2",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "a situation, an event, etc. that makes it difficult for you to do or achieve something",
            "sensetop": "obstacle to doing somethingobstacle to somebody doing somethingobstacle to something",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "So far, we have managed to overcome all the obstacles that have been placed in our path."
                },
                {
                    "text": "A lack of qualifications can be a major obstacle to finding a job.",
                    "contextForm": "obstacle to doing something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The MP claims that there is now no obstacle to him standing at the next general election.",
                    "contextForm": "obstacle to somebody doing something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The huge distances involved have proved an obstacle to communication between villages.",
                    "contextForm": "obstacle to something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Lack of money has proved an almost insurmountable obstacle."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The attitude of the unions is a serious obstacle."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The release of prisoners remains an obstacle in the path of a peace agreement."
                }
            ],
            "synonyms": "hindrance",
            "topics": ["Difficulty and failure"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["big", "major", "chief"],
                "verb + obstacle": ["be", "become", "constitute"],
                "obstacle + noun": ["course"],
                "preposition": ["obstacle for", "obstacle to"],
                "phrases": [
                    "an obstacle in the path (of somebody/​something)",
                    "an obstacle in the way (of somebody/​something)"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "an object that is in your way and that makes it difficult for you to move forward",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The area was full of streams and bogs and other natural obstacles."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He managed with difficulty to negotiate the obstacles strewn across the floor."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "a fence, etc. for a horse to jump over",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "This huge open ditch forms the biggest obstacle on the course."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Sports: other sports"]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈɒbstəkl/",
                "audio": "ob/obstacle/obstacle__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈɑːbstəkl/",
                "audio": "ob/obstacle/obstacle__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Middle English: via Old French from Latin obstaculum, from obstare ‘impede’, from ob- ‘against’ + stare ‘stand’."
}