impediment

noun im·ped·i·ment \ im-ˈpe-də-mənt \

|Updated on: 16 Aug 2018

Examples: impediment in a Sentence

Definition of impediment

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

See impediment defined for English-language learners

See impediment defined for kids

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 of impediment from the Web

There’s going to be no impediment to that in the future.

— lorenzo reyes, USA TODAY, "Panthers 'contractually obligated' to keep Jerry Richardson statue, new owner David Tepper says," 10 July 2018
And, anyway, the lack of a degree is no impediment to making the Forbes 400 list.

— james atlas, Town & Country, "Is a College Education Even Worth It Anymore?," 10 July 2018
For many would-be parents the main impediment to conception is now not science but finance.

— The Economist, "Carrot, a Silicon Valley startup, takes a novel approach to funding IVF," 28 June 2018
Still, there are obvious impediments to watching morning sports TV.

— jason gay, WSJ, "The World Cup Case for the Glory of Morning TV," 25 June 2018
Home buyers should also make sure that there are no impediments to closing on their home, because that could force a delay in the delivery of their goods.

— michelle sandlin, Houston Chronicle, "On the Move: Relocation Spotlight on BHGRE Gary Greene," 24 June 2018
Our research identified another impediment to using genomic testing: difficulty understanding the test results.

— chadi nabhan, STAT, "Barriers to genomic testing get in the way of precision medicine," 20 June 2018
Another impediment: Under international bank capital rules, a big bank with cross-border businesses is seen as riskier so needs to hold a thicker capital cushion.

— patricia kowsmann, WSJ, "Why It’s So Hard to Build a Banking Giant," 13 June 2018
Due to a speech impediment, speaking up for Gorman wasn't always easy.

— khaliha hawkins, Glamour, "America's First Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman on the Power of Young Women," 4 June 2018

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

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.

First Known Use of impediment

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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impediment Synonyms

IMPEDIMENT Defined for English Language Learners

impediment

noun

Definition of impediment for English Language Learners

: something that makes it difficult to do or complete something : something that interferes with movement or progress
: a condition that makes it difficult to speak normally

IMPEDIMENT Defined for Kids

impediment

noun im·ped·i·ment \ im-ˈpe-də-mənt \

Definition of impediment for Students

1 : something that interferes with movement or progress

2 : a condition that makes it difficult to speak normally

Word Root of impediment

The Latin word pes, meaning “foot,” and its form pedis give us the root ped. A pedestrian is a person who travels on foot. Before trains, planes, and cars, an expedition, or journey, was often carried out by foot. An impediment makes movement or progress difficult, as if getting in the way of the feet.