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

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

an impediment to execution of a judgment

specifically : 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 of impediment

• 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

Bird-friendly design measures have been effectively mandated with no impediment to development in cities including New York, San Francisco, Toronto, and locally in Evanston, Lake County and Skokie. — Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

Israel’s example challenges the argument outlined by Bo Becker and other researchers at the Center for Policy Research that an insufficient home market size is a key impediment to scaling up young European companies. — Andrew McAfee, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026

Nearly a year after the ceasefire in Gaza, the analyst Jaser AbuMousa explains the impediments to rebuilding, and the devastation of his own family. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

There’s no spark between Gleeson and Frei, and the biggest impediments to the characters’ relationsip are self-imposed (Ned takes himself too seriously). — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

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