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

The investigation will cover the entire EEA apart from Italy, to avoid an overlap with its own ongoing proceedings for the possible imposition of interim measures concerning Meta's conduct. —Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2025

Iran also failed to forestall the re-imposition of UN sanctions lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, the 2015 nuclear deal) at the UN General Assembly this year. —Big Think, 25 Nov. 2025

Its financial performance was also boosted by the imposition in April of a more than 12% hike in electricity tariffs, a longstanding demand of the utility company to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa. —Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 21 Nov. 2025

During the fairness hearing, Laudermilch made an emotional appeal about the harm caused by the settlement’s imposition of roster limits, citing her experience seeing teammates get cut at Liberty. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 13 Nov. 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