encumbrance
Americannoun
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something that encumbers; something burdensome, useless, or superfluous; burden; hindrance.
Poverty was a lifelong encumbrance.
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a dependent person, especially a child.
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Law. a burden or claim on property, as a mortgage.
noun
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a thing that impedes or is burdensome; hindrance
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law a burden or charge upon property, such as a mortgage or lien
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rare a dependent person, esp a child
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of encumbrance
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English encombraunce, from Middle French encumbrance; see origin at encumber, -ance
Explanation
A burden or serious concern is an encumbrance. Your being five feet tall could be an encumbrance when it comes to your dream of playing professional basketball. Something that blocks you from doing what you want to do is an encumbrance, like the rocky soil in your garden that makes it impossible for you to grow tomatoes. A burden or hindrance can also be an encumbrance, the way wearing thick knitted mittens makes it harder for you to dial your cell phone — your mittens are an encumbrance. The word comes from the Latin word incombrare, which means "barricade or obstacle."
Vocabulary lists containing encumbrance
A Separate Peace
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The Awakening
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Seabiscuit
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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.
See Examples For:
Shekhova had started packing, but the costs of moving were prohibitive—and her dogs were an additional encumbrance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
“Debt is a long-term obligation and an encumbrance on people’s finances.”
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 14, 2026
That's why they've now assigned a receiver in order to prevent the transfer, sale or encumbrance of any of those assets.
From Salon ● Nov. 6, 2023
At this point, minor villains can only be an encumbrance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 22, 2023
The garland I was holding became an encumbrance, I felt I had been stupid to buy it.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
But, eventually, families and jobs and the various other encumbrances of adult life conspire to pull you away.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 30, 2023
But do these prosthetic encumbrances feel more or less cheap when applied to someone like Charlie, who isn’t a violent caricature but a sympathetically drawn human being?
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2022
The right to freedom of movement, in its expansive definitional breadth, was meant to protect against a variety of encumbrances.
From Slate ● Jan. 13, 2020
The grantor testifies that the real estate is free and clear from any encumbrances or defects.
From Encyclopedia.com ● Sep. 19, 2018
“In your mind, Mr. Jurgensen, did the deed read free and clear? That is, were there any encumbrances or conditions? Easements? Liens? That sort of thing?”
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
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.
