imposition

[im-puh-zish-uhn]

noun

1. the laying on of something as a burden or obligation.

2. something imposed, as a burden or duty; an unusual or extraordinarily burdensome requirement or task.

3. the act of imposing imposing by or as if by authority.

4. an instance of imposing imposing upon a person.

   He did the favor but considered the request an imposition.

5. the act of imposing imposing fraudulently or deceptively on others; imposture.

6. the ceremonial laying on of hands, as in confirmation or ordination.

7. Printing.,  the arrangement of page plates in proper order on a press for printing a signature.

8. the act of putting, placing, or laying on.

imposition

/ ˌɪmpəˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of imposing

2. something that is imposed unfairly on someone

3. (in Britain) a task set as a school punishment

4. the arrangement of pages for printing so that the finished work will have its pages in the correct order

Other Word Forms

• nonimposition noun
• preimposition noun
• reimposition noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of imposition¹

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

Example Sentences

"They were suddenly exposed to new European sensibilities and wanted to bring them back to their country, which was deeply colonised by the imposition of Victorian buildings," Mr Kumar said.

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The focus is on monitoring and the imposition of measures that return a club to compliance for any breach.

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"Notwithstanding the imposition of circuit breaker restrictions, the decision-making in Northern Ireland was chaotic," it said.

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He describes himself as an atheist and said it felt like "a bit of an imposition and probably a bit unfair and silly".

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Since the imposition of sanctions, NIS has been unable to procure supplies.

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Related Words

• intrusion