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 imposition of the tariffs stemmed from a breakdown in negotiations between the two countries in August, with each claiming the other side had unreasonable requests that would be detrimental to their respective country’s workers. — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2026

Prosecutors said that, prior to the National Security Law’s (NSL) imposition, Wong had joined others to lobby for a law in the United States that would allow Washington to sanction Hong Kong and China. — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026

His first responded to Trump’s April 2025 imposition of a 145 percent tariff on imports from China; Beijing then halted global exports of rare-earth permanent magnets, another essential input for car seats, windshield wipers, motors, and cameras. — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Talks between the United States and Canada about a deal that could have staved off the imposition of 50 percent duties fell apart Friday evening, deepening a months-long fracture between the North American neighbors. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 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