impossibility

noun

im·​pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty (ˌ)im-ˌpä-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being impossible

the impossibility of knowing the future

2

: something impossible

The snowstorm made travel an impossibility.

Examples of impossibility in a Sentence

The blizzard made travel an impossibility.

the impossibility of knowing what the future will bring

Recent Examples on the Web

What in Adorno stands for the impossibility of faith, and in Simone Weil is its ultimate proof, is in this case both. — Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

The tone of these sorts of interactions has changed over the course of this season, as different people from different worlds have collided and been able to get past the impossibility of it. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

Ben Cosman on Robert Coover and the impossibility of the baseball novel. — Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026

Perhaps these different impossibilities, when given a shape, will turn out to share a deeper geometric explanation. — Alex Stone, Quanta Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for impossibility

• acceptability
• accessibility
• adaptability
• admissibility
• advisability
• affordability
• allowability
• amenability
• amiability
• appealability
• applicability
• availability

Kids Definition

impossibility

noun

im·​pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty (ˌ)im-ˌpäs-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural impossibilities

1

: the quality or state of being impossible

2

: something impossible

Legal Definition

impossibility

noun

im·​pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty

plural impossibilities

1

: the quality or state of being impossible

also : the affirmative defense that something (as performance) is impossible

2

: something impossible

3

: impossibility of performance in this entry

— factual impossibility

: impossibility based on factual circumstances

specifically : a partial defense to criminal liability based on the incompletion of an intended criminal act

Note: Factual impossibility is not a complete defense and does allow prosecution for attempt or for another inchoate offense. For example, if the defendant constructed a bomb that failed to explode, factual impossibility would be a defense against murder charges, but not attempted murder.

— impossibility of performance

: a doctrine in contract law that a party may be released from liability for breach of contract for failing to perform an obligation that is rendered impossible by uncontrollable circumstances (as death or failure of the means of delivery)

: a defense to breach of contract or a basis for release from contractual obligations because of impossibility of performance compare frustration, impracticability

— legal impossibility

: impossibility based on or with reference to a law

specifically : a complete defense to criminal liability based on the commitment of acts that are not criminal or illegal

Note: Legal impossibility is founded on the principle that an act is not a crime unless there is a law prohibiting it.