imposition

noun

im·​po·​si·​tion ˌim-pə-ˈzi-shən 

1

: something imposed: such as

a

: an excessive or uncalled-for requirement or burden

b

: levy, tax

2

: the act of imposing

the imposition of a tariff

You can stay with me. It's not an imposition.

3

: deception

4

: the order of arrangement of imposed pages

Synonyms of imposition

• tax
• levy

Examples of imposition in a Sentence

Your kids can stay with me the night you're away—it's really not an imposition.

the imposition of a life sentence on the defendant

the imposition of a tax on liquor

Recent Examples on the Web

This was followed by the imposition of periodic payments under threat. —Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026

The presidential couple suffered a dramatic fall from grace after Yoon’s martial law imposition in December 2024 led to his impeachment and eventually removal from office. —ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026

The couple suffered a fall from grace after Yoon’s martial law imposition in December 2024 led to his impeachment and eventual removal from office. —Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026

The issuance of $63,919,300 of public securities for police, fire, and emergency communications facilities and the imposition of taxes sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the public securities. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for imposition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

imposition

noun

im·​po·​si·​tion ˌim-pə-ˈzish-ən 

1

: the act of imposing

2

a

: something (as a tax) that is imposed

b

: a demand or request that is very troublesome