noun
hurdle
HUR-duhl/ˈhɜːrdl/
An obstacle or difficulty that must be overcome.
The fallen trunk presents a hurdle for the walker.
Etymology
A twig barrier became a race barrier to jump, then any obstacle that must be overcome.
More examples
- Funding is the project's biggest hurdle.
- They clear the final legal hurdle.
Forms
hurdle
Similar words
- obstacle
- Anything blocking progress.
- difficulty
- A problem that need not be conceived as a barrier.