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.

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 .

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 esp. an artificial barrier.

a difficult problem to be overcome; obstacle.

Chiefly British . a movable rectangular frame of interlaced twigs, crossed bars, or the like, as for a temporary fence.

a frame or sled on which criminals, esp. traitors, were formerly drawn to the place of execution.

to leap over (a hurdle, barrier, fence, etc.), as in a race.

to master (a difficulty, problem, etc.); overcome.

to construct with hurdles; enclose with hurdles.

to leap over a hurdle or other barrier.

noun

clear path , opening

noun

bar , barricade , blockade , complication , difficulty , fence , hamper , handicap , hedge , hindrance , impediment , interference , mountain , obstruction , rub , snag , stumbling block , traverse , wallnotes:hurdle refers to a difficulty or obstacle; hurtle means to move with great speed or violence , barrier , block , blockage , clog , obstacle , stop , wall

verb

bounce , bound , clear , conquer , down , hop , jump across , leap over , lick , lop , master , negotiate , over , overcome , saltate , scale , spring , surmount , vaultnotes:hurdle refers to a difficulty or obstacle; hurtle means to move with great speed or violence , leap , vault , bar , barricade , barrier , complication , handicap , hazard , hedge , impediment , jump , obstacle , obstruction , roadblock , snag , throw , wall