impediment

noun

im·​ped·​i·​ment im-ˈpe-də-mənt 

1

: something that impedes

especially : an impairment (such as a stutter or a lisp) that interferes with the proper articulation of speech

2

: a bar or hindrance (such as lack of sufficient age) to a lawful marriage

Did you know?

Impediment comes from a Latin verb that meant "to interfere with" or "to get in the way of progress", as if by tripping up the feet of someone walking. In English, impediment still suggests an obstruction or obstacle along a path; for example, a lack of adequate roads and bridges would be called an impediment to economic development. Impediments usually get in the way of something we want. So we may speak of an impediment to communication, marriage, or progress--but something that slows the progress of aging, disease, or decay is rarely called an impediment.

Synonyms

• balk
• bar
• block
• chain
• clog
• cramp
• crimp
• deterrent
• drag
• embarrassment
• encumbrance
• fetter
• handicap
• hindrance
• holdback
• hurdle
• inhibition
• interference
• let
• manacle
• obstacle
• obstruction
• shackles
• stop
• stumbling block
• trammel

Examples of impediment in a Sentence

tough going for the burros on the canyon trail, even without the added impediment of heavy loads

Recent Examples on the Web

There are no legal or technical impediments to building CIISA. —Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Sep. 2023

All of these impediments are part of what make outdoor workers a good demographic to target: Cooling clothes are more necessity than novelty for them, and companies that employ such workers are inclined to foot the bill. —Bloomberg Wire, Dallas News, 2 Sep. 2023

In pleading for more weaponry, Ukrainian officials have long cited Russia’s superiority in artillery and heavy tanks, a crucial impediment as the counteroffensive gathers momentum, and have welcomed any additions to the nation’s arsenal. —Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2023

Bloom’s methodical, risk-averse approach to roster-building as chief baseball officer represented a potential impediment to the Red Sox emerging from the mire of mediocrity. —Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023

But even though Emma is lucky enough to be the right amount of drunk recently enough, there are more substantial impediments than strict coverage criteria. —Wilson M. Sims, Longreads, 7 Sep. 2023

That said, the challenge suddenly thrown into the mix to test their bond, with an accident involving Aidan’s son, felt a little too daytime soap-opera-ish for its own good, creating an impediment to significantly postpone, if not rule out, their happily ever after. —Brian Lowry, CNN, 24 Aug. 2023

For all the talk about which candidates would or would not make the cut, the criteria have, so far, presented few impediments to most of the field. —Ben Jacobs, The New Republic, 22 Aug. 2023

But never worry: the government has a handy solution for that impediment, too. —Time, 14 Aug. 2023

See More

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing impediment

• speech impediment

• speech impediment

Kids Definition

impediment

noun

im·​ped·​i·​ment im-ˈped-ə-mənt 

1

: something that impedes

2

: a defect in speech

Medical Definition

impediment

noun

im·​ped·​i·​ment im-ˈped-ə-mənt 

: something that impedes

children with deafness or hearing impediments

especially : an impairment (as a stutter or a lisp) that interferes with the proper articulation of speech

Legal Definition

impediment

noun

im·​ped·​i·​ment im-ˈpe-də-mənt 

: something that prevents or interferes with a process, power, or right

should have known of the legal impediments to the execution of any judgment against the police jury

—Penalber v. Blount, 550 So. 2d 577 (1989)

specifically : a bar to the formation of a valid contract or marriage compare nullity