Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. Something that impedes; a hindrance or obstruction. See Synonyms at obstacle.
- n. An organic defect preventing clear articulation: a speech impediment.
- n. Law Something that obstructs the making of a legal contract.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. That which impedes or hinders progress; hindrance; obstruction; obstacle.
- To impede.
Wiktionary
- n. A hindrance; that which impedes or hinders progress.
- n. Baggage, especially that of an army; impedimenta
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. That which impedes or hinders progress, motion, activity, or effect.
- v. To impede.
WordNet 3.0
- n. any structure that makes progress difficult
- n. something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
Etymologies
- Middle English, from Old French, from Latin impedīmentum, from impedīre, to impede; see impede.
Examples
“The main impediment to this profit of one ounce of silver per transaction (minus any shipping fees) was the inability to secure enough gold.”
Capped Head Left Quarter Eagle, Large Diameter, 1821-1827 : Coin Guide
“The main impediment to progress in America is Republicans.”
Think Progress » CPAC audience boos former GOP Rep. Bob Barr for saying waterboarding is torture.
“In fact it is in impediment to getting close to God.”
“I wish to ask CC if having a speech impediment is "bad.”
“Here, the impediment is reversed – the body is not too old but too young.”
“This helpful post by Kate Martin suggests that the most serious legal impediment is 18 USC 2702.”
“As stated succinctly in ASGISA: "For both the public infrastructure and the private investment programmes, the single greatest impediment is shortage of skills - including professional skills such as engineers and scientists; managers such as financial, personnel and project managers; and skilled technical employees such as artisans and IT technicians.”
“The main impediment isn't medical or scientific, it's social.”
“The single greatest impediment is shortage of skills, including professional, managerial and technical skills.”
“Ashcroft attempted to lay blame for the existence of the Wall at Gorelick's feet, and claimed that it was a main impediment to investigations that might have otherwise uncovered and perhaps forestalled the 9/11 attacks.”
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘impediment’.
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GRE Barrons Wordlist
A complete Barron's Wordlist for GRE preparation. Your online flashcard replacement.
abase, abash, abate, abbreviate, abdicate, aberrant, aberration, abet, abeyance, abhor, abject, abjure and 4084 more...
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avfordomd's list
lexicon
copacetic, amiable, philanthropic, misanthropic, gregarious, vehement, parcel, congregate, paucity, passel, multitudinous, pulchritudinous and 98 more...
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the list
nice words
alpenglow, inconspicuous, oceaning, glacial, impediment, darling, escapism, dahlia, haven

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