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Definition of encumber
encumbered
;encumbering
play \in-ˈkəm-b(ə-)riŋ\transitive verb
1 : weigh down, burden tourists encumbered by heavy luggage
2 : to impede or hamper the function or activity of : hinder negotiations encumbered by a lack of trust
3 : to burden with a legal claim (such as a mortgage) encumber an estate
From the M-W Editors
encumber was our Word of the Day on 06/03/2013. Hear the podcast!
Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
Examples of encumber in a Sentence
These rules will only encumber the people we're trying to help.
Lack of funding has encumbered the project.
Recent Examples of encumber from the Web
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As a result, Hamlin's win in the Irish Hills 250 was ruled encumbered.
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An average Labour nominee not encumbered by Corbyn’s left-wing baggage would probably have won a clear victory.
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The film’s earnest message of acceptance is encumbered by stylistic choices, like a disruptive voice-over and clumsy split-screen montages contrasting the boys’ vastly different social experiences.
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Until light rail arrives in Everett, passengers are car-encumbered and dependent on Interstate 5.
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But efforts to keep them on may, in effect, encumber reform.
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The one thing Gray, Forst and A’s manager Bob Melvin all agreed on is that Gray isn’t physically encumbered in any way.
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The obligations that ideology should not encumber include speaking out against the blatantly anti-Muslim character of Trump’s travel ban: Those who defend religious liberty must also fight religious discrimination.
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It is not known how much debt Mr. Trump’s company has, or what percentage of its assets is encumbered by debt, because neither Mr. Trump nor his company, which is privately held, will release that information.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'encumber'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
encumber Has French Roots
In Old French, the noun "combre" meant a defensive obstacle formed by felled trees with sharpened branches facing the enemy. Later, in Middle French, "combre" referred to a barrier, similar to a dam or weir, constructed in the bed of a river to hold back fish or protect the banks. That notion of holding back is what informs our verb "encumber," formed by combining en- and combre. One can be physically encumbered (as by a heavy load or severe weather), or figuratively (as by bureaucratic restrictions). "Combre" also gives us the adjectives "cumbersome" and "cumbrous," both meaning "awkward or difficult to handle."
Origin and Etymology of encumber
Middle English encombren, from Anglo-French encumbrer, from en- + Middle French combre dam, weir
ENCUMBER Defined for English Language Learners
encumber
playDefinition of encumber for English Language Learners
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: to make (someone or something) hold or carry something heavy
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: to cause problems or difficulties for (someone or something)
ENCUMBER Defined for Kids
Law Dictionary
encumber
incumber
\in-ˈkəm-bər\Legal Definition of encumber
encumbered
encumbering
: to burden with a claim (as a mortgage or lien) encumbered the land with a mineral lease
Learn More about encumber
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See words that rhyme with encumber Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for encumber Spanish Central: Translation of encumber Nglish: Translation of encumber for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of encumber for Arabic speakers
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