Advertisement

View synonyms for

hurdle

[ hur-dl ]

noun

  1. a portable barrier over which contestants must leap in certain running races, usually a wooden frame with a hinged inner frame that swings down under impact to prevent injury to a runner who does not clear it.
  2. hurdles, (used with a singular verb) a race in which contestants must leap over a number of such barriers placed at specific intervals around the track. Compare high hurdles, low hurdles.
  3. any of various vertical barriers, as a hedge, low wall, or section of fence, over which horses must jump in certain types of turf races, as a steeplechase, but especially an artificial barrier.
  4. a difficult problem to be overcome; obstacle.
  5. Chiefly British. a movable rectangular frame of interlaced twigs, crossed bars, or the like, as for a temporary fence.
  6. a frame or sled on which criminals, especially traitors, were formerly drawn to the place of execution.


verb (used with object)

hurdled, hurdling.
  1. to leap over (a hurdle, barrier, fence, etc.), as in a race.
  2. to master (a difficulty, problem, etc.); overcome.
  3. to construct with hurdles; enclose with hurdles.

verb (used without object)

hurdled, hurdling.
  1. to leap over a hurdle or other barrier.

hurdle

/ ˈɜːə /

noun

    1. athletics one of a number of light barriers over which runners leap in certain events
    2. a low barrier used in certain horse races
  1. an obstacle to be overcome
  2. a light framework of interlaced osiers, wattle, etc, used as a temporary fence
  3. a sledge on which criminals were dragged to their executions
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to jump (a hurdle, etc), as in racing
  2. tr to surround with hurdles
  3. tr to overcome
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈܰ, noun
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • ܰd noun
  • ܲ·ܰd adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of hurdle1

before 900; Middle English hirdel, hurdel (noun), Old English hyrdel, equivalent to hyrd- + -el noun suffix; compare German ü hurdle; akin to Latin پ hurdle, wickerwork, Greek ýٴDz basket, cage, Sanskrit ṛt spin
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of hurdle1

Old English hyrdel; related to Gothic haurds door, Old Norse hurth door, Old High German hurd, Latin پ, Greek kurtos basket
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Trump's hard-line immigration policies have encountered a number of legal hurdles.

From

The Red Roses have been defeated by the Black Ferns in the past two World Cup finals and the draw for this year's tournament means they could again present the final hurdle.

From

This week, after months of speeches and promises from public officials, two bills meant to boost the beleaguered business cleared their first legislative hurdles.

From

Even if the bill cleared all its parliamentary hurdles, MPs had originally been told there would be a period of up to two years before any new law would be implemented.

From

A previous attempt called the Energy East pipeline was shelved in 2017 due to a number of factors, including fierce opposition from some regions of the country and regulatory hurdles.

From

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


hurdieshurdle rate