hindrance

noun hin·drance \ ˈhin-drən(t)s \

|Updated on: 6 Aug 2018

Examples: hindrance in a Sentence

Definition of hindrance

1 : the state of being interfered with, held back, or slowed down : the state of being hindered

hindrance of speech

2 : a person or thing that interferes with or slows the progress of someone or something : impediment

a hindrance to learning

3 : the act of interfering with or slowing the progress of someone or something : the action of hindering

should be allowed to live where he chooses without hindrance

See hindrance defined for English-language learners

See hindrance defined for kids

Examples of hindrance in a Sentence

Is my presence here a help or a hindrance?
made a survey of all the hindrances to wheelchair access, such as curbs and stairs

Recent Examples of hindrance from the Web

Would a pedestrian thoroughfare be a help or hindrance to local businesses?

— katie arnold, Outside Online, "What Activism Can Teach Kids About Life," 7 June 2018
But winter weather is also a hindrance because freezing and thawing cycles can degrade concrete and other building materials more quickly.

— meg jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The Mississippi River lock and dam system is critical to the economy. But it's falling apart fast.," 1 June 2018
Without such hindrances, Inka Moss could work with many more than 20 villages, says Mr Piñatelli.

— The Economist, "Peru discovers the value of moss," 5 Apr. 2018
This requires expensive equipment and lots of electricity, but that was apparently not a hindrance to the Russians.

— BostonGlobe.com, "How Russian spies hid behind bitcoin in hacking campaign," 14 July 2018
They should be worn with caution, and can be a serious hindrance to one’s summer vibe.

— emilia petrarca, The Cut, "Emily Ratajkowski Attacked by Giant Straw Hat," 29 June 2018
In that particular case, though, the government may be more hindrance than help; Mr Trump loathes Mr Bezos’s Washington Post, and is apparently looking for ways to do him harm.

— The Economist, "Business in the Republicans’ America is flourishing, but also changing," 24 May 2018
My point is that being an encyclopedia of music -- which those of us in the business tend to be -- can sometimes be a hindrance.

— thom duffy, Billboard, "Universal's Lucian Grainge Honored By Songwriters Hall of Fame: Read His Acceptance Speech," 15 June 2018
Though some might see the crude nature of pen-and-paper measurements as a hindrance, Einarsson argues it’s actually an asset.

— The Atlantic, "The Icelandic Families Tracking Climate Change With Measuring Tape," 6 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hindrance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of hindrance

see ¹hinder

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1526

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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hindrance Synonyms

HINDRANCE Defined for English Language Learners

hindrance

noun

Definition of hindrance for English Language Learners

: a person or thing that makes a situation difficult : a person or thing that hinders someone or something
: the act of making it difficult for someone to act or for something to be done : the act of hindering someone or something

HINDRANCE Defined for Kids

hindrance

noun hin·drance \ ˈhin-drəns \

Definition of hindrance for Students

: someone or something that makes a situation more difficult

“… you shouldn't worry about the little fellow's feet … I don't personally think they're going to be a hindrance …”
—Dick King-Smith, Pigs Might Fly