How to pronounce impediment
Say it like im-PED-uh-munt. Impediment has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PED).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce impediment. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- im
- PED
- uh
- munt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Impediment pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- imGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- PEDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- muntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of impediment
American and British speakers say impediment in essentially the same way: /ˌɪmˈpɛdəmənt/ in the US and /ˌɪmˈpɛdəmənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: im-PED-uh-munt.
What does impediment mean?
- A hindrance; that which impedes or obstructs progress; impedance.
- A disability, especially one affecting the hearing or speech.“Working in a noisy factory left me with a slight hearing impediment.”
- Baggage, especially that of an army; impedimenta.
Where does impediment come from?
From Middle English impediment, borrowed from Latin impedimentum.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with impediment
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of impediment.
Questions about saying impediment
How do you pronounce impediment?
Say im-PED-uh-munt. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪmˈpɛdəmənt/. In British English it is /ˌɪmˈpɛdəmənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in impediment?
Impediment has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PED). Broken into parts: im · PED · uh · munt.
Do Americans and Brits say impediment the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪmˈpɛdəmənt/ and the British form is /ˌɪmˈpɛdəmənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.