Also means
impediment
Usage Note
Empêchement refers to something that prevents a planned action, especially when a person cannot attend something (j'ai un empêchement — 'something has come up / I can't make it'). This polite formula is very common in social and professional French. The related verb is empêcher ('to prevent, to stop').
Examples
"Il n'a pas pu venir à cause d'un empêchement de dernière minute."
Natural Translation
He could not come because of a last-minute obstacle.

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