Where Does Hindrance Come from?

The first records of the word hindrance come from the 1400s. Its base word, hinder, comes from the Old English hindrian, meaning “to hold back.” The suffice -ance is used to form nouns. A hindrance is something that holds you back, blocks you, or makes what you're doing more difficult.

What does being a hindrance mean?

1 : the state of being interfered with, held back, or slowed down : the state of being hindered hindrance of speech. 2 : a person or thing that interferes with or slows the progress of someone or something : impediment a hindrance to learning.

What are examples of hindrances?

The definition of a hindrance is an obstacle or something that inhibits or delays some desired action. An example of a hindrance is a road block preventing you from getting where you need to go.

Sarah Jenkins

Sarah Jenkins

Senior Technology Editor & AI Specialist

Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.