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

• 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

Yes, this is an imposition on local control of zoning. —Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2025

Trump's April 2 executive order, since delayed, called for the imposition of tariffs on a range of goods. —Russ Wiles, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025

More importantly, the widespread imposition of tariffs and the consequent price rise are likely to drive inflation figures higher in the months ahead. —Prasanna Kumar, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025

Both Psaltis and Bost say the fish’s gastronomic importance makes up for the financial imposition. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 July 2025

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