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 Words From

• nonim·po·sition noun
• preim·po·sition noun
• reim·po·sition 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

Britain’s new subject peoples knew it, too, and rebelled at the imposition of colonial rule.

From Time

“They could issue long-term bonds for the modernization, and by doing that within 10 years of the imposition of the tax, they get to keep the entire tax,” Cabrera said.

From Voice of San Diego

If the Supreme Court overturns Rostker, they’ll surely fight against any imposition of compulsory registration or service for women.

From Washington Post

Instead, by 2019, imposition of the tax had resulted in a decline in the number of internet users, failed revenue targets, and social unrest.

From Quartz

Many have called for the imposition and enforcement of more stringent and onerous regulation and taxation.

From Time

A term-limits law is a clear imposition of an added qualification.

From The Daily Beast

And so swift was the imposition of the curfew that some foreigners were taken by surprise.

From The Daily Beast

Later, when he purchases a massive TV set for her living room, she's offended by the imposition.

From The Daily Beast

Why, an imposition on business owners to run their factories as they saw fit, you socialist!

From The Daily Beast

The result was the imposition of the most draconian inspections regime in history.

From The Daily Beast

This provision also had the effect of preventing the imposition of taxation upon the community by means of railway rates.

From Project Gutenberg

For this was the preposterous nature of the imposition, and she claimed to have given birth to no less than eighteen of them.

From Project Gutenberg

Just at this juncture Eric came in, having been delayed by Mr Gordon, while he rigidly inspected the imposition.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Grenville, Chancellor of the Exchequer, introduced sundry resolutions relative to the imposition of stamp duty in America.

From Project Gutenberg

Henceforth they resisted the imposition by Parliament of external as well as internal taxes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• intrusion