impediment

[ im-ped-uh-muhnt ]
/ ɪmˈpɛd ə mənt /

noun

obstruction; hindrance; obstacle.
any physical defect that impedes normal or easy speech; a speech disorder.
Chiefly Ecclesiastical Law. a bar, usually of blood or affinity, to marriage: a diriment impediment.
Usually impediments. impedimenta.

Origin of impediment

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Latin word impedīmentum. See impede, -ment

OTHER WORDS FROM impediment

im·ped·i·men·tal [im-ped-uh-men-tl] /ɪmˌpɛd əˈmɛn tl/, im·ped·i·men·ta·ry, adjective non·im·ped·i·men·tal, adjective non·im·ped·i·men·ta·ry, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for impediment

British Dictionary definitions for impediment

impediment
/ (ɪmˈpɛdɪmənt) /

noun

a hindrance or obstruction
a physical defect, esp one of speech, such as a stammer
plural -ments or -menta (-ˈmɛntə) law an obstruction to the making of a contract, esp a contract of marriage by reason of closeness of blood or affinity

Derived forms of impediment

impedimental or impedimentary, adjective

Medical definitions for impediment

impediment
[ ĭm-pĕdə-mənt ]

n.

Something that impedes; a hindrance or an obstruction.
An organic defect preventing clear articulation of speech.