imposition

noun

im·​po·​si·​tion ˌim-pə-ˈzi-shən 

1

: something imposed: such as

a

: an excessive or uncalled-for requirement or burden

b

: levy, tax

2

: the act of imposing

3

: deception

4

: the order of arrangement of imposed pages

Synonyms

• assessment
• duty
• impost
• levy
• tax

Examples of imposition in a Sentence

Your kids can stay with me the night you're away—it's really not an imposition.

the imposition of a life sentence on the defendant

the imposition of a tax on liquor

Recent Examples on the Web

Like Bannon, Navarro is appealing his conviction, but the judge overseeing his case opted not to delay the imposition of the prison term, a decision that has been upheld by higher courts. —Robert Legare, CBS News, 6 June 2024

The first one is obviously bad and the second hinges on this idea that fat people are some sort of threat or imposition so people need to be made comfortable. —Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024

Citywide protests in 2019 led to Beijing’s imposition of the national security law, which choked political dissent. —Alexandra Stevenson, New York Times, 28 May 2024

Private equity takeovers often result in large-scale worker layoffs and the imposition of heavy debt on companies that can hasten their decline, as well as bringing higher costs to consumers. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

imposition

noun

im·​po·​si·​tion ˌim-pə-ˈzish-ən 

1

: the act of imposing

2

a

: something (as a tax) that is imposed

b

: a demand or request that is very troublesome