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

• obstacle
• hurdle
• obstruction
• embarrassment
• barrier

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

Trump Freezes Cash for Charging Network One major impediment to EV adoption is the availability of chargers, so a 2021 infrastructure bill signed by Biden allocated $5 billion over five years for a nationwide EV charging network. —Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 26 June 2025

But Beijing is much more single-minded than Washington about the future of relations between the two countries: Xi appears to see Washington as the primary impediment to China’s rise, and ties to the U.S. as a vulnerability best eliminated. —Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 14 June 2025

Moving from tentative steps to leaps will require overcoming Europe’s own internal impediments to change, including, for some member states, political instability and strained budgets. —Theodore Bunzel, Foreign Affairs, 30 May 2025

Whether or not the LA councilmembers who voted to approve this meant well, their short-sightedness has once again proven to be an impediment to progress and economic wellbeing. —Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 30 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing impediment

• speech impediment

Rhymes for impediment

• pediment
• sediment

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