im ‧ ped ‧ i ‧ ment /ɪmˈpedəmənt, ɪmˈpedɪmənt/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: impedimentum , from impedire ; ⇨ ↑ impede ]
1 . a physical problem that makes speaking, hearing, or moving difficult:
a speech impediment
2 . a situation or event that makes it difficult or impossible for someone or something to succeed or make progress
impediment to
War is one of the greatest impediments to human progress.