encumbrance
noun
en·cum·brance
in-ˈkəm-brən(t)s 
1
: something that encumbers : impediment, burden
2
: a claim (such as a mortgage) against property
Synonyms
Examples of encumbrance in a Sentence
without the encumbrance of a heavy backpack, I could sprint along the trail
Recent Examples on the Web
The narrative spun by Johnson and his allies was that the country’s natural exuberance had been stifled for half a century by bureaucrats in Brussels and that freed from these encumbrances, the union would flourish.
—
Fintan O’Toole, Foreign Affairs, 5 July 2024
And despite insistences from Trump and his allies that having to attend the trial is an encumbrance designed to keep him off the campaign trail, the bodega visit was a good reminder that there’s still plenty of time in the week for Trump to campaign.
—Derek Hawkins, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
In California, a clean title indicates a property with no liens, encumbrances or claims, ensuring the seller has clear and legal rights to sell without issue.
—Pat Kapowich, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024
There have been suggestions that AI needs Section 230 because large language models train on data and will be better if that data is freely usable with no liabilities or encumbrances.
—Jaron Lanier, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for encumbrance 
Fintan O’Toole, Foreign Affairs, 5 July 2024
And despite insistences from Trump and his allies that having to attend the trial is an encumbrance designed to keep him off the campaign trail, the bodega visit was a good reminder that there’s still plenty of time in the week for Trump to campaign.
—Derek Hawkins, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
In California, a clean title indicates a property with no liens, encumbrances or claims, ensuring the seller has clear and legal rights to sell without issue.
—Pat Kapowich, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024
There have been suggestions that AI needs Section 230 because large language models train on data and will be better if that data is freely usable with no liabilities or encumbrances.
—Jaron Lanier, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for encumbrance
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'encumbrance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near encumbrance
Cite this Entry
“Encumbrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encumbrance. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
encumbrance
noun
en·cum·brance
in-ˈkəm-brən(t)s
1
: something that encumbers : burden
2
: a legal claim (as a mortgage) against property
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