impressment
noun
im·press·ment
im-ˈpres-mənt 
: the act of seizing for public use or of impressing into public service
Examples of impressment in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Advertiser was edited by Samuel Adams for artisans and laborers fired up by their successful resistance to impressment—the Navy’s effort to grab men for forced service—and concerned about rising poverty in the postwar depression.
—
Time, 7 July 2025
In particular, the U.S. government protested British interference with its foreign trade and the Royal Navy’s practice of impressment, which meant forcing American sailors to serve aboard British warships.
—Lawrence B.a. Hatter / Made By History, TIME, 4 Feb. 2025
The United States declared war on Great Britain after more incidents of naval impressment, trade restrictions, and the British attack of the Chesapeake.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 14 Nov. 2024
The crew was a combustible mix of regular sailors, marines and impressed crewmen — impressment being a kind of slavery wherein men were kidnapped and forced to serve for an indefinite period.
—Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2023
Jefferson’s accession to the presidency coincided with demands for higher payments and the impressment of a U.S. Navy frigate, the USS George Washington, by the Dey of Algiers as a courier vessel.
—John Yoo, National Review, 15 Jan. 2020
These distinctive tattoos were then recorded in their personal Seamen’s Protection Certificates, which were used as identification and to help stave off impressment.
—Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2017
In fact, by the late summer of 1812, the British had eliminated the orders in council, leaving impressment as the only unresolved issue of any consequence.
—Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2012
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Time, 7 July 2025
In particular, the U.S. government protested British interference with its foreign trade and the Royal Navy’s practice of impressment, which meant forcing American sailors to serve aboard British warships.
—Lawrence B.a. Hatter / Made By History, TIME, 4 Feb. 2025
The United States declared war on Great Britain after more incidents of naval impressment, trade restrictions, and the British attack of the Chesapeake.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 14 Nov. 2024
The crew was a combustible mix of regular sailors, marines and impressed crewmen — impressment being a kind of slavery wherein men were kidnapped and forced to serve for an indefinite period.
—Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2023
Jefferson’s accession to the presidency coincided with demands for higher payments and the impressment of a U.S. Navy frigate, the USS George Washington, by the Dey of Algiers as a courier vessel.
—John Yoo, National Review, 15 Jan. 2020
These distinctive tattoos were then recorded in their personal Seamen’s Protection Certificates, which were used as identification and to help stave off impressment.
—Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2017
In fact, by the late summer of 1812, the British had eliminated the orders in council, leaving impressment as the only unresolved issue of any consequence.
—Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2012
Cite this Entry
“Impressment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impressment. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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