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

Over the weekend, the president fanned the flames of the trade war by threatening China with 100 percent tariffs over its imposition of export controls, only to insist, on Monday, that all was well with the bilateral trade relationship. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025

The results indicate that global trade with Africa has been more resilient than economists had predicted following the imposition of US tariffs, with the continent’s largest international exporter — South Africa — still facing 30% tariffs on exports to the US. —Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025

Back in September, the Chinese government enacted a law that allows for the imposition of retaliatory fees or port access denials for vessels from countries that take discriminatory actions against Chinese vessels or carriers. —Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025

With the imposition of trade tariffs, the price of steel, semiconductor chips, and avocados goes up. —Ganesh Marín, The Dial, 7 Oct. 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