im·ped·i·ment / imˈpedəmənt/ • n. a hindrance or obstruction in doing something: a serious impediment to scientific progress. ∎  (also speech impediment) a defect in a person's speech, such as a lisp or stammer.DERIVATIVES: im·ped·i·men·tal / -ˌpedəˈmentl/ adj.

IMPEDIMENT

A disability or obstruction that prevents an individual from entering into a contract.

Infancy, for example, is an impediment in making certain contracts. Impediments to marriage include such factors as consanguinity between the parties or an earlier marriage that is still valid.