Hurdle

Pronunciation

• RP enPR: hûr'dÉ™l, IPA: /ˈhɜːdÉ™l/
• US enPR: hûr'dÉ™l, IPA: /ˈhɝdÉ™l/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)dÉ™l

Origin

From Old English hyrdel.

Full definition of hurdle

Noun

1. An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which athletes or horses jump in a race.
2. (perceived obstacle)A perceived obstacle.
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.
• 1882, James Edwin Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in England, Volume 4, p. 414.The practice of folding sheep was general, and the purchase of hurdles was a regular charge in the shepherd's account.
4. (UK, obsolete) A sled or crate on which criminals were formerly drawn to the place of execution.

Synonyms

Verb

1. To jump over something while running.He hurdled the bench in his rush to get away.
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.

Anagrams

• hurled