obstacle

英['ɒbstək(ə)l] 美['ɑbstəkl]

1. something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted;: "lack of immagination is an obstacle to one's advancement"; "the poverty of a district is an obstacle to good education"; "the filibuster was a major obstruction to the success of their plan"

2. an obstruction that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented)