Hurdle

English Meaning

A movable frame of wattled twigs, osiers, or withes and stakes, or sometimes of iron, used for inclosing land, for folding sheep and cattle, for gates, etc.; also, in fortification, used as revetments, and for other purposes.

1. Sports A light portable barrier over which competitors must leap in certain races.
2. Sports A race in which a series of such barriers must be jumped without the competitors' breaking their stride.
3. Sports A leaping step made off one foot as means of maximizing spring at the end of an approach, as to a dive.
4. An obstacle or difficulty to be overcome: the last hurdle before graduation.
5. Chiefly British A portable framework made of intertwined branches or wattle and used for temporary fencing.
6. Chiefly British A frame or sledge on which condemned persons were dragged to execution.
7. To leap over (a barrier) in or as if in a race.
8. To overcome or deal with successfully; surmount: hurdle a problem.
9. To leap over a barrier or other obstacle.