hindrance

hin·drance | \ ˈhin-drən(t)s

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

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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 on the Web But many conversations around weight have become a hindrance, not a help, in the campaign to make people healthier. — The Editors, Scientific American, "Doctors Need to Focus Less on a Patient’s Weight," 30 Jan. 2020 The movement has learned from the mistakes of Occupy Wall Street, which was weighed down by crowded general assemblies that made decisions by consensus, which quickly became a hindrance to progress. — Aimee Groth, Quartz at Work, "Extinction Rebellion is using holacracy to scale its international movement," 29 Dec. 2019 By 1980, Alabama has cast off many hindrances, but the number people living in poverty still glaringly stands at 21% — one of every five people. — al, "Alabama’s population: 1800 to the modern era," 28 Dec. 2019 Despite its small size and positive reputation, the private liberal arts school became a creative hindrance for Finamore and Hammond. — Britt Julious, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago served as a muse for awe-inspiring local band Oux," 12 Dec. 2019 Third, the tigers’ thin welfare states have also become a hindrance. — The Economist, "Asian tigersAfter half a century of success, the Asian tigers must reinvent themselves," 5 Dec. 2019 But there are other instances—hunting grouse and rabbits in thick cover comes to mind—when that extra barrel length is nothing but a hindrance, since shots will be quick and bushes and grapevines make toting a 30-inch gun a real chore. — Brad Fitzpatrick, Outdoor Life, "How To Choose The Best Shotgun Barrel Length," 14 June 2019 Debbie Stabenow has been no help, if anything, a major hindrance. — USA Today, "Analysis: Trump more negative, prolific on Twitter amid Democratic impeachment inquiry," 23 Dec. 2019 For the economy does better when countries trade with minimal hindrances. — Arkansas Online, "EDITORIAL: Trade winds," 12 Dec. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

19 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Hindrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hindrance. Accessed 25 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for hindrance

hindrance

noun

English Language Learners Definition of hindrance

: 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

See the full definition for hindrance in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hindrance

noun

hin·drance | \ ˈhin-drəns

Kids Definition of hindrance

: 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

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