impose

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /ɪmˈpoʊz/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ɪmˈpəʊz/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form impose

Third-person singular imposes

Past tense imposed

Past participle imposed

Present participle imposing

1. (transitive) If you impose something on someone, you force it on them, even if they don't want it.

   Egypt has imposed travel restrictions which will make it harder to enter the country.

   The law imposes a duty on all employers to provide safety training.

2. (intransitive) If you impose on someone, you ask or expect them to do something for you that is difficult or inconvenient.

   Could we impose on you to explain that again more slowly?

   I'd like to visit her, but I don't want to impose.

Related words

• imposing (adj.)
• superimpose