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

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

Legislative history seems to suggest that Congress did not intend IEEPA to permit the imposition of tariffs. —Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025

Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia in 1935 and subsequent need for military support from Germany pushed Italy into a closer alliance with Hitler that, in turn, led to the imposition of anti-Jewish legislation. —Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025

Platte County Circuit Judge Amy Ashelford suspended the imposition of his sentence and placed him on two years’ probation. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 31 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