impediment

UK: /ɪmˈpɛdɪmənt/ US: /ɪmˈpɛdəmənt/ ,(im ped′ə mənt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•ped•i•ment /ɪmˈpɛdəmənt/   n. [countable]

1. something that impedes;
   a hindrance:
   impediments to the peace process.
2. a physical problem that interferes with normal speech:
   a speech impediment.

See -ped-¹.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•ped•i•ment  (im ped′ə mənt), n. 

1. obstruction; hindrance;
   obstacle.
2. any physical defect that impedes normal or easy speech;
   a speech disorder.
3. Religion [Chiefly Eccles. Law.] a bar, usually of blood or affinity, to marriage:
   a diriment impediment.
4. Usually, impediments. impedimenta.

• Latin impedīmentum. See impede, -ment
• Middle English 1350–1400

im•ped•i•men•tal  (im ped′ə men′tl), im•ped′i•men′ta•ry, adj.  Synonyms

• 1. bar, encumbrance, check. See obstacle. 

Antonyms

• 1. help, encouragement.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

impediment / ɪmˈpɛdɪmənt/ noun

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

imˌpediˈmental, imˌpediˈmentary adjective