Impede

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Impede

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

verb

Pronunciation

im-PEED  /ɪmˈpiːd/

Definition

To delay or prevent the progress, development, or accomplishment of something; to obstruct or hinder.

Plain meaning

To impede something means to get in the way of it — to slow it down or block it. Heavy traffic impedes your journey. A lack of funding impedes research. A language barrier impedes communication. The word suggests an obstacle that makes progress harder or slower, though not necessarily impossible. It is slightly more formal than hinder or block.

Register

Neutral to slightly formal. Impede is more formal than block or slow down but less formal than obstruct. It is used across registers — in everyday speech (heavy snow impeded our journey), technical writing (the signal was impeded by interference), and legal or bureaucratic language (regulations that impede innovation).