impost

¹ American  

[im-pohst] / ˈɪm poʊst /

noun

1. a tax; tribute; duty.

2. a customs duty.

3. Horse Racing. the weight assigned to a horse in a race.

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verb (used with object)

1. to determine customs duties on, according to the kind of imports.

impost ² American  

[im-pohst] / ˈɪm poʊst /

noun

Architecture.

1. the point of springing of an arch; spring.

2. an architectural feature immediately beneath this point.

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impost ¹ British  

/ ˈɪmpəʊst /

noun

1. a tax, esp a customs duty

2. horse racing the specific weight that a particular horse must carry in a handicap race

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verb

1. (tr) to classify (imported goods) according to the duty payable on them

impost ² British  

/ ˈɪmpəʊst /

noun

1. architect a member at the top of a wall, pier, or column that supports an arch, esp one that has a projecting moulding

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Other Word Forms

• imposter noun

Etymology

Origin of impost¹

1560–70; < Medieval Latin impostus a tax, noun use of Latin impostus, variant of impositus imposed; imposition

Origin of impost²

1655–65; < French imposte < Italian imposta < Latin: feminine of impostus (past participle); impost ¹

Example Sentences

About 42% of Americans say the economy and cost of living is the most impost important issue facing the country today, a CNN poll External link this month found.

From Barron's

He tells clients in a note that a sale for A$500 million plus appropriate brand value, with only a modest capital gains tax impost, would be positively received by investors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Key West is the only place in Florida set to impost a sunscreen ban - an effort to protect reefs that are important to the city’s economy and environment.

From Washington Times

Article I, Section 8 allows Congress to “lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises.”

From Washington Post

In policy matters, he proved obtuse, recommending, in one of his first initiatives, a blanket cancellation of all trade imposts.

From The New Yorker