encumbrance

American  

[en-kuhm-bruhns] / ɛnˈkʌm brəns /

Also incumbrance

noun

encumbrances plural

1. something that encumbers; something burdensome, useless, or superfluous; burden; hindrance.

   Poverty was a lifelong encumbrance.

2. a dependent person, especially a child.

3. Law. a burden or claim on property, as a mortgage.

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encumbrance British  

/ ɪnˈkʌmbrəns /

noun

1. a thing that impedes or is burdensome; hindrance

2. law a burden or charge upon property, such as a mortgage or lien

3. rare a dependent person, esp a child

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• encumbrances
  plural

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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

encumbrance encumbrances

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

Wilson Chin’s scenic design creates an atmosphere of old-world affluence without the encumbrance of too many set pieces, allowing the musical to glide at an accelerated pace to its mostly happy conclusion.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 2, 2023

“I hope I am aware that they may be too noisy for your father—or even may be some encumbrance to you, if your visiting engagements continue to increase as much as they have done lately.”

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

On the defensive side, Carson Soucy was allowed to sign for three years in Vancouver, with the Kraken balking at going more than two because they didn’t want long-term encumbrances blocking Evans.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 5, 2024

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

It is, however, undeniably rich in crab flavor and so creamy it makes you forget for a moment about friction, gravity and other earthly encumbrances.

From New York Times ● Jun. 14, 2021

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

Apart from their helmets sad encumbrances and the difficulty of breathing, they had to be dressed in their suits by kind and careful aasatapls.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Related Words

• burden