imposition
Americannoun
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the laying on of something as a burden or obligation.
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something imposed, as a burden or duty; an unusual or extraordinarily burdensome requirement or task.
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the act of imposing by or as if by authority.
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an instance of imposing upon a person.
He did the favor but considered the request an imposition.
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the act of imposing fraudulently or deceptively on others; imposture.
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the ceremonial laying on of hands, as in confirmation or ordination.
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Printing. the arrangement of page plates in proper order on a press for printing a signature.
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the act of putting, placing, or laying on.
noun
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the act of imposing
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something that is imposed unfairly on someone
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(in Britain) a task set as a school punishment
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the arrangement of pages for printing so that the finished work will have its pages in the correct order
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of imposition
1325–75; Middle English imposicioun < Late Latin impositiōn- (stem of impositiō ), equivalent to imposit ( us ) past participle of impōnere to place upon, impose ( im- im- 1 + posi-, variant stem of pōnere to put + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
Imposition means you force something — usually an unwanted burden — on someone else. If your friends invite themselves over for dinner the night before your big test, that's an imposition because you'll have to cook instead of studying. Imposition comes from the 14th century Old French word of the same spelling, meaning "the levying of taxes, a tax, duty." Taxes are a good way to remember the meaning of imposition. You never want to pay taxes — but you have no choice but to pay. It can be the same for other kinds of burdens: if something is an imposition, you don't want to do it, but you likely will have to.
Vocabulary lists containing imposition
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Vocabulary from The Articles of Confederation
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"Common Sense," Vocabulary from the pamphlet
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Federation of Small Businesses said: "Imposition of full import controls this summer would have meant yet another burden for small firms which are already wrestling with new trade rules and spiralling operating costs."
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2022
Imposition of the more relaxed “general community quarantine” in Metro Manila has been deferred, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said, without giving a reason.
From Reuters • Sep. 7, 2021
Imposition of the visa condition is the easy part.
From BBC • Oct. 9, 2018
Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes at 7:30 a.m.
From Washington Post • Feb. 24, 2017
Imposition of Hands.—A technical term for the Laying on of Hands by the Bishop in Confirmation.
From The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia by Miller, William James
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
