hurdle

Meaning

Noun

1. An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which athletes or horses jump in a race.
2. (figuratively) An obstacle, real or perceived, physical or abstract.
3. A movable frame of wattled twigs, osiers, or withes and stakes, or sometimes of iron, used for enclosing land, for folding sheep and cattle, for gates, etc.; also, in fortification, used as revetments, and for other purposes.
4. (UK, historical) A sled or crate on which criminals were drawn to the place of execution.
5. A piece that is jumped over by a hopper piece.

Verb

1. To jump over something while running.
2. To compete in the track and field events of hurdles (e.g. high hurdles).
3. To overcome an obstacle.
4. To hedge, cover, make, or enclose with hurdles.
5. To jump over another piece without capturing it.

Verb

Misspelling of hurtle.

Synonyms

obstacle

barrier

block

impediment

fence

hindrance

vault

bar

difficulty

obstruction

jump over

wattle and daub

leap

wickerwork

handicap

hang-up

hardship

hazard

hedge

hitch

hop

hurdle-race

jump

learn

next

obtrusion

ordeal

overcome

paling

panel

rack

rail

restriction

riddle

roadblock

rush

skip

slat

spring

steeplechase

stymie

stymy

surmount

trammel

trial

trig

wattle

hinderance

diriment impediment

pilerow

Translations

Hürde

ostacolo

obstacle

haie

valla

obstáculo

barreira

εμπόδιο

Hindernis

obstáculo

barrière

claie

correre ad ostacoli

horde

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈhɜːdl̩/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: hurdel

Inherited from Old English: hyrdel

Cognate with Dutch: horde

Cognate with German: Hürde

In summary

]
From Middle English hurdel, hirdel, herdel, hyrdel, from Old English hyrdel (“frame of intertwined twigs used as a temporary barrier”), diminutive of *hyrd, from Proto-Germanic *hurdiz, from Pre-Germanic *kr̥h₂tis, from Proto-Indo-European *kreh₂-. Cognate with Dutch horde, German Hürde.

Sentences

A modern hurdle will fall over if a runner hits it .