impediment

noun im·ped·i·ment \ im-ˈpe-də-mənt \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

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

Correa launched a stand-up, two-run, inside the park home run in the first inning, galloping around the basepaths with no discernible impediment.

— chandler rome, Houston Chronicle, "Astros shortstop Carlos Correa set to start on ring ceremony day despite last night's injury," 4 Apr. 2018
There are other impediments to getting from diagnosis to treatment.

— jill u. adams, chicagotribune.com, "Finding treatment for depressed teens isn't easy," 3 Apr. 2018
There are other impediments to getting from diagnosis to treatment.

— jill u. adams, Washington Post, "Regular screening can find teen depression, but getting treatment isn’t easy," 31 Mar. 2018
But his candidacy is complicated by the baggage that effectively eliminated him from consideration at Connecticut, Georgia and Pittsburgh, and by the NCAA’s desire to add impediments.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Rick Pitino could be a home run hire — if you ignore his baggage | Tim Sullivan," 31 Mar. 2018
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke to the credibility of Mueller’s investigation and said it should be allowed to conclude without any impediments.

— tara golshan, Vox, "The constitutional debate around protecting Robert Mueller’s job, explained," 29 Mar. 2018
The measures are nearly identical, so supporters don't see an impediment to a final vote needed by each chamber to send the legislation to Gov. Larry Hogan.

— NBC News, "#MeToo helps shine light on access to feminine hygiene products in prison," 28 Mar. 2018
But when Trump is busy firing everybody who treats him like a moron, maybe his aides are skittish about explaining the, uh, constitutional impediments to his concept.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Thinks the Military Should Fund His Wall Without Congress," 27 Mar. 2018
The main impediments were the ubiquitous, slow-moving ice cream vendors on giant yellow trikes.

— john greenfield, Chicago Reader, "Lima’s beautiful boulevard bike paths could be a hit in Chicago," 26 Mar. 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

See Words from the same year

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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.