n.[C]

1. 妨碍，阻碍；障碍物[（+to）]
   The main impediment to development is the country's huge foreign debt.

   发展的主要障碍是国家欠下的巨额外债。

2. （口吃等的）语言障碍
   It's difficult to understand him because he has a speech impediment.

   他的话很难听懂，因为他讲话口吃。

3. 【律】合法婚姻的障碍
4. 【律】缔结合同的法定障碍[P]

n.

1. a hindrance or obstruction.
2. (also speech impediment) a defect in a person's speech, such as a lisp or stammer.