impediment

noun im·ped·i·ment \ im-ˈpe-də-mənt \

|Updated on: 7 Jun 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

Nevertheless, he has never been elected, and his lack of experience may prove to be an impediment, according to a New York Times report.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "27 Candidates Are Running to Replace California Gov. Jerry Brown. Meet the 3 Frontrunners," 27 May 2018
For one, the time constraints involved in the in-depth patient-physician conversations required for more robust informed consent, even with the standard frequent checkups throughout a typical pregnancy, pose an impediment—but something has to give.

— kavin senapathy, SELF, "Giving Birth Made Me Question the Informed Consent Process During Childbirth," 14 May 2018
Considering the sheer number of federal court vacancies – 148 in all – that's no small impediment, one that has frustrated Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

— doug mckelway, Fox News, "Stalled judicial nominees will be confirmed 'no matter what tactics' employed, McConnell says," 10 May 2018
The genre tends to cast wild environments as both lethal in their own right and as an impediment to characters facing a more actively aggressive foe.

— asher elbein, The Atlantic, "The Terror Is More Than a Chilling Monster Show," 1 May 2018
Springer's impediment, and his management of it, has been well-chronicled.

— chandler rome, Houston Chronicle, "Astros' George Springer, Hornets' Michael Kidd-Gilchrist linked by stutter advocacy," 27 Apr. 2018
And none of these impediments on highly reputable providers already enrolled in their home states keep bad actors out of the system.

— nick manetto, STAT, "Medicaid’s unnecessary barriers delay care for children with complex needs," 1 May 2018
Photo: wsj How to Die By Seneca; edited and translated by James S. Romm Princeton, 230 pages, $26.95 The fear of death was the most immovable of the impediments to cosmic alignment.

— brendan boyle, WSJ, "‘How to Die’ Review: Finish With a Flourish," 26 Apr. 2018
This large structure had been one of the biggest impediments to getting the Europa Clipper mission off the launchpad in 2022 aboard an SLS rocket.

— eric berger, Ars Technica, "The billion-dollar question: How does the Clipper mission get to Europa?," 16 Apr. 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.