imposition

/ˈɪmpəˌzɪʃən/

/ɪmpəˈzɪʃən/

Other forms: impositions

Imposition means you force something — usually an unwanted burden — on someone else. If your friends invite themselves over for dinner the night before your big test, that's an imposition because you'll have to cook instead of studying.

Imposition comes from the 14th century Old French word of the same spelling, meaning "the levying of taxes, a tax, duty." Taxes are a good way to remember the meaning of imposition. You never want to pay taxes — but you have no choice but to pay. It can be the same for other kinds of burdens: if something is an imposition, you don't want to do it, but you likely will have to.

Definitions of imposition

1. noun

   the act of imposing something (as a tax or an embargo)
   synonyms: infliction

   types:

   protection, trade protection

   the imposition of duties or quotas on imports in order to protect domestic industry against foreign competition

   regimentation

   the imposition of order or discipline

   reimposition

   imposition again

   taxation

   the imposition of taxes; the practice of the government in levying taxes on the subjects of a state

   type of:

   enforcement

   the act of enforcing; ensuring observance of or obedience to
2. noun

   an uncalled-for burden
   “he listened but resented the imposition”

   type of:

   burden, encumbrance, incumbrance, load, onus

   an onerous or difficult concern