impossibility

noun

im·​pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty (ˌ)im-ˌpä-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being impossible

2

: something impossible

Examples of impossibility in a Sentence

The blizzard made travel an impossibility.

the impossibility of knowing what the future will bring

Recent Examples on the Web

This time around, that number is basically an impossibility, as linear television viewership has rapidly declined over the past two decades, even for sports. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024

Hats off to Klay Kubiak or Shanahan (whoever made the call) after the Dobbs touchdown for going for two points, making overtime an impossibility. —Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2024

But getting back on the road there’s all this excitement, and then, so quickly, the anguish and weariness and impossibility of it set back in. —Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2024

Many years and many breaches later, the winds have shifted and the industry has accepted the impossibility of preventing every possible negative outcome, instead embracing detection, response and resilience. —Bob Tinker, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

impossibility

noun

im·​pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty (ˌ)im-ˌpäs-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural impossibilities

1

: the quality or state of being impossible

2

: something impossible

Legal Definition

impossibility

noun

im·​pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty

plural impossibilities

1

: the quality or state of being impossible

also : the affirmative defense that something (as performance) is impossible

2

: something impossible

3

: impossibility of performance in this entry

— factual impossibility

: impossibility based on factual circumstances

specifically : a partial defense to criminal liability based on the incompletion of an intended criminal act

Note: Factual impossibility is not a complete defense and does allow prosecution for attempt or for another inchoate offense. For example, if the defendant constructed a bomb that failed to explode, factual impossibility would be a defense against murder charges, but not attempted murder.

— impossibility of performance

: a doctrine in contract law that a party may be released from liability for breach of contract for failing to perform an obligation that is rendered impossible by uncontrollable circumstances (as death or failure of the means of delivery)

: a defense to breach of contract or a basis for release from contractual obligations because of impossibility of performance compare frustration, impracticability

— legal impossibility

: impossibility based on or with reference to a law

specifically : a complete defense to criminal liability based on the commitment of acts that are not criminal or illegal

Note: Legal impossibility is founded on the principle that an act is not a crime unless there is a law prohibiting it.