hindrance
n. C / Un. something or someone that makes it harder for you to do something. It is a person or thing that gets in your way or slows you down.
n. a person or thing that provides resistance, delay, or obstruction to something or someone. Often used in the phrase 'more of a hindrance than a help'.
The heavy rain was a hindrance to our travel plans.
The outdated software proved to be a major hindrance to the team's productivity during the busy season.
While the new regulations were intended to ensure safety, many small business owners argued they acted as a hindrance to innovation and economic growth.
From Middle English hinderance, hinderaunce, hindraunce, hynderaunce, hynderawnce, hynderawns, hyndrance; equivalent to hinder + -ance.
Often followed by the preposition 'to'. When used as an uncountable noun, it refers to the abstract state of being impeded.