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

the imposition of a tariff

You can stay with me. It's not an imposition.

3

: deception

4

: the order of arrangement of imposed pages

Synonyms of imposition

• tax
• levy

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

Add the imposition of new policies and instructional procedures, and a teacher can find that resource tapped at unsustainable levels. — Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Yoon was removed from office in April 2025, months after he was impeached over his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024 following a standoff with the liberal opposition, which held a legislative majority and blocked much of his agenda. — ABC News, 26 June 2026

Moscow has made similar moves since the imposition of Western sanctions in 2022, with 90% of trade with China reportedly settled in yuan or rubles. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 24 June 2026

Budget windfalls Third, host-community benefits that are proportional to the imposition. — Warren Wimmer, Mercury News, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for imposition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

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