hindrance

noun

hin·​drance ˈhin-drən(t)s 

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

Synonyms of hindrance

• obstacle
• hurdle
• obstruction
• embarrassment

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

Any hindrance to that is something that everybody is looking at very carefully. —Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025

Today, things are a bit different as soldiers become more and more weighed down with electronics that often seem to be more of a hindrance than a help. —New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2025

Intermediate-term overbought conditions are not yet a hindrance, as is often the case with triangle breakouts. —Katie Stockton, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025

Still, the new restrictions are not a patch, merely a hindrance. —PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see hinder entry 1

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hindrance

• without let or hindrance

Kids Definition

hindrance

noun

hin·​drance ˈhin-drən(t)s 

1

: the state of being hindered

2

: the action of hindering

3

: something that hinders : impediment