Point to everything that can impede progress (4)
I believe the answer is:
wall
'point to everything that can impede progress' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'point to everything' is the wordplay.
'point' becomes 'w' (West).
'to everything' becomes 'all' (all things).
'w'+'all'='WALL'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for wall that I've seen before include "Brick or stone barrier" , "Solid partition" , "Separator of Pyramus and Thisbe" , "Brick construction" , "that may consist of many courses" .)