impingement

American  

[im-pinj-muhnt] / ɪmˈpɪndʒ mənt /

noun

1. the act or fact of encroaching or infringing.

   This is an impingement on the fundamental right of free speech.

2. the act or fact of striking or touching something, or the effect produced by this.

   The impingement on the diamond’s hard crystal surface is due to oxygen in the air.

3. Medicine/Medical. the act or fact of interfering with something, especially a nerve, through contact or pressure.

   Impingement on the nerves can be relieved by removing the portion of the bone compressing the neural structures.

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Etymology

Origin of impingement

impinge ( def. ) + -ment ( def. )

Example Sentences

Terry has a chronic hip impingement, the Ducks revealed Thursday in their postseason injury report.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

There’s a belt squat machine, for people with shoulder impingement or spinal compression issues; a bilateral leg press which helps with imbalances; “specialty bars” which help avoid impact on the shoulders.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2026

At the start of the season, Sasaki made eight underwhelming starts — with wild command and declining fastball velocity contributing to a 4.72 ERA — before being sidelined by a shoulder impingement.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2025

“The stuff was good,” Roberts said of Kopech, out since the start of the year because of a shoulder impingement.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2025

In particular, we have a certain definite point on the earth’s surface on which the edge of the shadow first impinges; this impingement necessarily takes place at sunrise.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 10 "Echinoderma" to "Edward" by Various