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

Under the agreement, which a judge still needs to approve, a count of possession of burglary or theft tools would be dismissed and Banks would receive a stay of imposition at sentencing. —Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 17 June 2026

So when the workings of the world, with its shouty messaging and manipulative storylines, get to be too much—when all of that strategized meaning feels like an imposition—go to the Met or Olana or your nearest Church. —Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026

Lawmakers delayed an imposition of asset limits on Medi-Cal that Newsom had proposed setting at $2,000, which would have affected elderly low-income Californians. —Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026

Past alumni want to do things for present students, so don't worry about being an imposition or asking at the wrong time. —Colleen Batchelder, Forbes.com, 12 June 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