Barrier vs. Hurdle — What's the Difference?

Psychological block.

Temporary difficulty.

Social or economic division.

Challenge to overcome.

Physical obstruction.

Obstacle in racing.

Restriction or prohibition.

Step in a process.

Protective measure.

Tool for training or testing.

A fence or other obstacle that prevents movement or access

A hurdle (UK English, limited US English) is a moveable section of light fence. In the United States, terms such as "panel", "pipe panel" or simply "fence section" are used to describe moveable sections of fencing intended for agricultural use and crowd control; "hurdle" refers primarily to fences used as jumping obstacles for steeplechasing with horses or human track and field competition.

A material formation or structure, such as a mountain range or wall, that prevents passage or access.

One of a series of upright frames over which athletes in a race must jump

Something immaterial that obstructs or impedes

A problem or difficulty that must be overcome

(Physiology) A membrane, tissue, or mechanism that blocks the passage of certain substances.

A portable rectangular frame strengthened with withies or wooden bars, used as a temporary fence.

(Ecology) A physical or biological factor that limits the migration, interbreeding, or free movement of individuals or populations.

Take part in a hurdle race

A movable gate that keeps racehorses in line before the start of a race.

Enclose or fence off with hurdles

Often barriers The palisades or fences enclosing the lists of a medieval tournament.

A light portable barrier over which competitors must leap in certain races.

(Geology) An ice barrier.

Hurdles A race in which a series of such barriers must be jumped without the competitors' breaking their stride.

A structure that bars passage.

A leaping step made off one foot as means of maximizing spring at the end of an approach, as to a dive.

An obstacle or impediment.

An obstacle or difficulty to be overcome

A boundary or limit.

Chiefly British A portable framework made of intertwined branches or wattle and used for temporary fencing.

(grammar) A node (in government and binding theory) said to intervene between other nodes A and B if it is a potential governor for B, c-commands B, and does not c-command A.

Chiefly British A frame or sledge on which condemned persons were dragged to execution.

(physiology) A separation between two areas of the body where specialized cells allow the entry of certain substances but prevent the entry of others.

To leap over (a barrier) in or as if in a race.

(historical) The lists in a tournament.

To overcome or deal with successfully; surmount

A martial exercise of the 15th and 16th centuries.

To leap over a barrier or other obstacle.

(transitive) To block or obstruct with a barrier.

An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which athletes or horses jump in a race.

A carpentry obstruction, stockade, or other obstacle made in a passage in order to stop an enemy.

(figuratively) An obstacle, real or perceived, physical or abstract.

A fortress or fortified town, on the frontier of a country, commanding an avenue of approach.

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.

A fence or railing to mark the limits of a place, or to keep back a crowd.

A sled or crate on which criminals were formerly drawn to the place of execution.

Any obstruction; anything which hinders approach or attack.

To jump over something while running.

Any limit or boundary; a line of separation.

To compete in the track and field events of hurdles (e.g. high hurdles).

A structure or object that impedes free movement

To overcome an obstacle.

Any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective;

To hedge, cover, make, or enclose with hurdles.

Anything serving to maintain separation by obstructing vision or access

(T-flapping) hurtle

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.

In England, a sled or crate on which criminals were formerly drawn to the place of execution.

An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which men or horses leap in a race.

To hedge, cover, make, or inclose with hurdles.

A light movable barrier that competitors must leap over in certain races

An obstacle that you are expected to overcome;

The act of jumping over an obstacle

Jump a hurdle

In sports, a hurdle is used as an obstacle in races that athletes must jump over, testing their agility and speed.

Overcoming a hurdle implies managing to surpass a challenge, often leading to personal or professional growth.

Yes, barriers can be beneficial by providing safety, security, or by preserving necessary boundaries.

The primary function of a barrier is to block or limit access, acting as a form of protection or control.

Not necessarily; hurdles can serve as opportunities for improvement and can be integral to learning and development processes.

Businesses can face regulatory barriers, market entry barriers, and technological barriers, among others.

If a hurdle is significant enough and cannot be overcome, it might function as a barrier.

No, barriers can also be metaphorical, such as social, economic, or psychological barriers that impede progress.

Barriers often present significant obstructions that can halt progress, while hurdles are challenges that can be overcome with effort.

Removing barriers often requires changes in policy, attitudes, or substantial efforts.