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

In the latest case, prosecutors accused Wong of conspiring with others to lobby the United States and other countries to sanction China and Hong Kong, prior to the NSL’s imposition. — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

This assures the person who expresses gratitude that no imposition was involved. — Valerie Fridland, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

What readers are saying The conversation explores concerns about the imposition of religious laws, particularly focusing on the fear of Sharia law and Christian nationalism in the United States. — Asifa Quraishi-Landes, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

What next for Lebanon With the absence of an internal Lebanese consensus, the arrival of any international peacekeeping force to replace the exiting UNIFIL will be perceived by many Lebanese as a top-down imposition. — Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 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