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

But Iranian officials and state media said that conditions remained on passage through the waterway, including the imposition of tolls and coordination with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. —Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026

The issuance of $63,919,300 of public securities for police, fire, and emergency communications facilities and the imposition of taxes sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the public securities. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2026

The imposition of new city, county or state taxes should be far from being primary options. —Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026

The imposition of 20 percent levies across Taiwanese sectors has caused widespread anxiety and dismay. —Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 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