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encumbrance

[ en-kuhm-bruhns ]
/ ɛnˈkʌm brəns /
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See synonyms for: encumbrance / encumbrances on Thesaurus.com

noun
something that encumbers; something burdensome, useless, or superfluous; burden; hindrance: Poverty was a lifelong encumbrance.
a dependent person, especially a child.
Law. a burden or claim on property, as a mortgage.
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Also in·cum·brance [in-kuhm-bruhns] /ɪnˈkʌm brəns/ .

Origin of encumbrance

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English encombraunce, from Middle French encumbrance; see origin at encumber, -ance
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use encumbrance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for encumbrance

encumbrance

incumbrance

/ (ɪnˈkʌmbrəns) /

noun
a thing that impedes or is burdensome; hindrance
law a burden or charge upon property, such as a mortgage or lien
rare a dependent person, esp a child
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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