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Synonyms

imposition

American  
[im-puh-zish-uhn] / ˌɪm pəˈzɪʃ ən /

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 British  
/ 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

"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

Other Word Forms

  • nonimposition noun
  • preimposition noun
  • reimposition noun

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

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.

While authorities insist the situation is under control, the imposition of a curfew underscores the seriousness of the threat and the urgency of preventing further escalation.

From BBC

But Canberra has redoubled efforts to diversify export markets for farmers since a 2020 dispute with Beijing saw agriculture exports blocked for several years, and last year's global imposition of US trade tariffs.

From Barron's

But Canberra has redoubled efforts to diversify export markets for farmers since a 2020 dispute with Beijing saw agriculture exports blocked for several years, and then last year's global imposition of US trade tariffs.

From Barron's

Trade last year was also boosted by among other things "the front-loading of imports in North America ahead of the expected imposition of 'reciprocal' tariffs by the United States", the WTO said in its report.

From Barron's

It's GPs committee is due to meet on Thursday to decide whether it should challenge the imposition of the contract.

From BBC