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

• balk
• bar
• block
• chain
• clog
• cramp
• crimp
• deterrent
• drag
• embarrassment
• encumbrance
• fetter
• handicap
• hindrance
• holdback
• hurdle
• inhibition
• interference
• let
• manacle
• obstacle
• obstruction
• shackles
• stop
• stumbling block
• trammel

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

Adding to the trouble, the administration’s laser-like focus on the demand side came at the expense of addressing impediments to supply, such as excessive obstacles to permitting processes related to building infrastructure. —Jason Furman, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2025

Yet as Skydance seeks FCC approval for its acquisition of Paramount Global, sources say that there have been talks with the Trump team about settling the case, potentially removing an impediment to regulatory approval. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025

Should the judges agree to close the case, a major impediment to the public release of Smith's report summarizing the classified documents investigation would be eliminated. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2025

Conditions are potentially ripe for the state to elect a Republican governor for the first time since 2006, but the reliably farcical nature of the California GOP could prove to be a nagging impediment. —David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing impediment

• speech impediment

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