hurdle meaning

hurdle as a noun

1. a light movable barrier that competitors must leap over in certain races

   Type of: barrier

2. an obstacle that you are expected to overcome
   • the last hurdle before graduation

   Type of: obstacle

3. the act of jumping over an obstacle

   Synonyms: vault

   Type of: jump

hurdle as a verb

1. jump a hurdle

   Type of: vault

   Related forms: hurdler, hurdling

hurdle in a sentence

• The hurdler didn't clear the final hurdle.
• The athlete caught his foot on the hurdle.
• The biggest hurdle for pupils writing the exam was question fourteen.
• This is just another hurdle to overcome.
• The team faced a serious hurdle.

How to pronounce hurdle

hurdle is pronounced /ˈhɝdəl/ in American English. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

Words that rhyme with hurdle

• girdle