a portable rectangular frame strengthened with withies or wooden bars, used especially for enclosing land or livestock, or jumped over in certain athletic events.
The athlete cleared every hurdle in the race.
She knocked over the last hurdle but still won.
✦ From Middle English hirdel, from Old English hyrdel, hyrd (“hurdle”), from Proto-West Germanic *hurþil, from Proto-Germanic *hurþją (“frame, wickerwork, hurdle”).
a problem or difficulty that must be solved or overcome in order to progress.
The main hurdle to success was lack of funding.
They overcame all the legal hurdles to build the project.
to jump over a hurdle or other barrier while running.
The runner will hurdle the barriers swiftly.
She hurdles better than anyone on the team.
