The verb is derived from Late Middle English imposen, borrowed from Middle French imposer, and Old French emposer, enposer (modern French imposer), from im-, em- (variants of en-) + poser, modelled after:

• Latin impōnere, the present active infinitive of impōnō, from im- (variant of in-) + pōnō (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂pó, *h₂epó + *tḱey-); and
• Latin impositus, the perfect passive participle of impōnō: see above.

  The noun is derived from the verb.

• (RP) IPA: /ɪmˈpəʊz/
• (America) IPA: /ɪmˈpoʊz/
• (Australia) IPA: /ɪmˈpəʉz/

impose (imposes, present participle imposing; simple past and past participle imposed)

1. (transitive)
   1. (archaic) To physically lay or place (something) on another thing; to deposit, to put, to set.
      • 1614–1615, Homer, “The Sixteenth Book of Homer’s Odysseys”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., Homer's Odysses. […], London: […] Rich[ard] Field [and William Jaggard], for Nathaniell Butter, published 1615, →OCLC ↗; republished in The Odysseys of Homer, […], volume II, London: John Russell Smith, […], 1857, →OCLC ↗, page 244 ↗:

        [H]is Svvaine / Strevv'd faire greene Oſiers; and impoſ'd thereon / A good ſoft Sheepeskin, vvhich made him a Throne.

        The spelling has been modernized.

      • 1781, Edward Gibbon, “Foundation of Constantinople—Political System of Constantine, and His Successors—Military Discipline—The Palace—The Finances”, in The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, volume II, London: […] W[illiam] Strahan; and T[homas] Cadell, […], →OCLC ↗, pages 7–8 ↗:

        It vvas here likevviſe, in a place vvhere the diſtance betvveen the oppoſite banks cannot exceed five hundred paces, that Xerxes impoſed a ſtupendous bridge of boats, for the purpoſe of tranſporting into Europe an hundred and ſeventy myriads of barbarians.

      1. (Christianity) To lay or place (one's hands) on someone as a blessing, during rites of confirmation, ordination, etc.
         • 1582, The Nevv Testament of Iesus Christ: […] (Douay–Rheims Bible), Rheims: Iohn Fogny, →OCLC ↗, Marke 10:14 and 16, page 113 ↗:

           [Jesus] ſaid to them, Suffer the litle children to come vnto me, and prohibit them not, for the kingdom of God is for ſuch. […] And embracing them, and impoſing hands vpon them, he bleſſed them.

         • 1597, Richard Hooker, “Of Confirmation after Baptisme”, in J[ohn] S[penser], editor, Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], 2nd edition, London: […] Will[iam] Stansby [for Matthew Lownes], published 1611, →OCLC ↗, book V, section 66, page 351 ↗:

           [W]hen Iſraell bleſſed Ephraim and Manaſſes Ioſephs ſonnes, hee impoſed vpon them his hands and prayed, […]

         • 1642, Jer[emy] Taylor, “§ 3. With a Power of Joyning Others and Appointing Successors in the Apostolate.”, in Of the Sacred Order, and Offices of Episcopacy, by Divine Institution, Apostolicall Tradition, & Catholike Practice. […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] Leonard Lichfield, printer to the University, →OCLC ↗, page 13 ↗:

           [T]hat the Apoſtolate might be ſucceſſive and perpetuall, Chriſt gave them a povver of ordination, that by impoſing hands on others they might impart that povver vvhich they receiued from Chriſt.

      2. (printing) To lay (columns or pages of type, or printing plates) arranged in a proper order on the bed of a press or an imposing stone and secure them in a chase in preparation for printing.
   2. (figurative)
      1. To apply, enforce, or establish (something, often regarded as burdensome as a restriction or tax: see ) with authority.

         Congress imposed new tariffs.

         Sanctions were imposed on the country that had made an unprovoked attack on its neighbour.

         • 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book V, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], part II (books IV–VI), London: […] [Richard Field] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC ↗, stanza 49, page 295 ↗:

           In crueltie and outrage ſhe did pas, / To proue her ſurname true, that ſhe impoſed has.

         • 1605, M. N. [pseudonym; William Camden], “The Inhabitants of Britaine”, in Remaines of a Greater Worke, Concerning Britaine, […], London: […] G[eorge] E[ld] for Simon Waterson, →OCLC ↗, page 8 ↗:

           Great alſo is the glorie of thoſe Britans, […] For they not only ſeated themſelves, there maugre the Romans, (then indeede lovv, and neare ſetting,) and the French: but alſo impoſed their name to the countrey, held an defended the ſame againſt the French, vntill in our grandfathers memorie, it vvas vnited to France by the ſacred bonds of matrimonie.

         • 2012 October 31, David M. Halbfinger, “New Jersey reels from storm’s thrashing”, in The New York Times‎^{[https://web.archive.org/web/20230404184216/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/01/nyregion/new-jersey-continues-to-cope-with-hurricane-sandy.html]}, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN ↗, →OCLC ↗, archived from the original ↗ on 2023-04-04:

           New Jersey was reeling on Wednesday from the impact of Hurricane Sandy, […] Localities across New Jersey imposed curfews to prevent looting.

      2. To place or put (something chiefly immaterial, especially something regarded as burdensome as a duty, an encumbrance, a penalty, etc.) on another thing or on someone; to inflict, to repose; also, to place or put (on someone a chiefly immaterial thing, especially something regarded as burdensome).

         Social relations impose courtesy.

         • 1568, Anthony of Gueuara [i.e., Antonio de Guevara], “What Maners and Gestures Beecome the Courtier when Hee Speaketh to the Prince”, in Thomas North, transl., The Dial of Princes. […], revised edition, London: […] Richarde Tottill, and Thomas Marshe, →OCLC ↗, 4th booke, folio 121, recto ↗:

           [T]he courtier that proceeds in his matters, rather with oppinion and obſtinacy, then diſcretion and iudgement; ſhall neuer bee in fauor with the Prince, nor yet beeloued in the court. For it is as neceſſary for the courtier, that will ſeeke the fauor of the prince and loue of the court, to impoſe his tongue to ſylence: as it is to dyſpoſe his body to all maner of ſeruyce.

         • c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act IV, scene iv], page 167 ↗, column 1:

           VVhat Fates impoſe, that men muſt needs abide; / It boots not to reſiſt both vvinde and tide.

         • c. 1595–1596 (date written), W. Shakespere [i.e., William Shakespeare], A Pleasant Conceited Comedie Called, Loues Labors Lost. […] (First Quarto), London: […] W[illiam] W[hite] for Cut[h]bert Burby, published 1598, →OCLC ↗; republished as Shakspere’s Loves Labours Lost (Shakspere-Quarto Facsimiles; no. 5), London: W[illiam] Griggs, […], [1880], →OCLC ↗, [Act V, scene i], signature K, recto ↗, lines 848–850:

           Behold the vvindovv of my hart, mine eye: / VVhat humble ſuite attendes thy anſvvere there, / Impoſe ſome ſeruice on me for thy Loue.

         • 1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, Much Adoe about Nothing. […], quarto edition, London: […] V[alentine] S[immes] for Andrew Wise, and William Aspley, published 1600, →OCLC ↗, [Act I, scene ii], signature [H4], verso ↗:

           Yet I muſt ſpeake, chooſe your reuenge your ſelfe, / Impoſe me to vvhat penance your inuention / Can lay vpon my ſinne, yet ſinnd I not, / But in miſtaking.

         • 1613, Thomas Heywood, The Silver Age, […], London: […] Nicholas Okes, and are to be sold by Beniamin Lightfoote […], →OCLC ↗, Act III, signature F3, verso ↗:

           So for your ſake I vvill impoſe him dangers, / Such and ſo great, that vvithout Ioues ovvne hand, / He ſhall not haue the povver to ſcatter them.

         • 1624 March 23 (Gregorian calendar), Robert Saunderson [i.e., Robert Sanderson], “[Ad Clerum.] The Third Sermon. At a Visitation at Boston Lincoln[shire] 13. March. 1624.”, in Twelve Sermons, […], [new] edition, London: […] Aug[ustine] Math[ews], for Robert Dawlman, and are to be sold by Robert Allet, […], published 1632, →OCLC ↗, §. 14, page 94 ↗:

           [W]here the Spirit of God hath manifested it ſelfe to any man by the diſtribution of gifts, it is but reaſon, that man ſhould manifest the Spirit that is in him, by exerciſing thoſe gifts in ſome lavvfull Calling. And ſo this manifestation of the Spirit in my Text, impoſeth vpon every man the Neceſſity of a Calling.

         • 1667, John Milton, “Book VII ↗”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC ↗; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC ↗, lines 544–547:

           [I]n the day thou eat'ſt [the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil], thou di'ſt; / Death is the penaltie impos'd, beware, / And govern well thy appetite, leaſt ſin / Surpriſe thee, and her black attendant Death.

         • 1688, John Bunyan, Good News for the Vilest of Men, or, A Help for Despairing Souls. […], London: […] George Larkin, […], →OCLC ↗, page 59 ↗:

           I [Paul the Apostle] vvas going to Damaſcus vvith Letters from the High Prieſt to make Havock of God's People there, as I had made Havock of them in other places. Theſe bloody Letters vvas not impoſed upon me. I vvent to the High Prieſt and deſired them of him, Acts 9. 1, 2. And yet he [God] ſaved me!

         • c. 1699 – 1703, Alexander Pope, “The First Book of Statius His Thebais”, in The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintot, […], published 1717, →OCLC ↗, page 324 ↗:

           On impious realms, and barb'rous Kings, impoſe / Thy plagues, and curſe 'em vvith ſuch ſons as thoſe.

         • 1838, Elizabeth B[arrett] Barrett [i.e., Elizabeth Barrett Browning], “The Island”, in The Seraphim, and Other Poems, London: Saunders and Otley, […], →OCLC ↗, page 197 ↗:

           We must endure—but not because / The World imposeth woe. / Prayers hold a better power than dreams / And leave her far and low: / We cannot meet her cruel eyes, / When ours are lifted to the skies— […]

         • 1849, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter VII, in The History of England from the Accession of James II, volume II, London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC ↗, page 212 ↗:

           He forbade his subjects, on pain of his highest displeasure, to molest any religious assembly. He also abrogated all those acts which imposed any religious test as a qualification for any civil or military office.

         • 1873 January 22, Robert Browning, “Part IV”, in Red Cotton Night-Cap Country: Or Turf and Towers, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC ↗, page 222 ↗:

           Master should measure strength with master, then, / Before the servant be imposed a task.

      3. To force or put (a thing) on someone or something by deceit or stealth; to foist, to obtrude.
         • 1650 December 24 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 14 December 1650]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, →OCLC ↗, pages 248–249 ↗:

           I went to visite Mr. Ratcliffe, in whose lodging was an impostor that had like to have impos'd upon us a pretended secret of multiplying gold; 'tis certain he had liv'd some time in Paris in extraordinarie splendor, but I found him to be an egregious cheate.

      4. (UK, school or university slang) To subject (a student) to imposition.
      5. (archaic or obsolete) To appoint (someone) to be in authority or command over other people.
      6. (obsolete) To accuse someone of (a crime, or a sin or other wrongdoing); to charge, to impute.
         • 1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act IV, scene i], page 84 ↗, column 2:

           So, if a Sonne that is by his Father ſent about Merchandize, doe ſinfully miſcarry vpon the Sea; the imputation of his vvickedneſſe, by your rule, ſhould be impoſed vpon his Father that ſent him: […]

         • 1605, Michaell Draiton [i.e., Michael Drayton], “The Legend of Matilda”, in Poems: […], London: […] [Valentine Simmes] for N[icholas] Ling, →OCLC ↗, signature Gg3, verso ↗:

           On him the King (in madneſſe ſo enrag'd) / Impoſde my death, himſelfe thereto that gag'd.

      7. (obsolete) To put (a conclusion or end) to something definitively.
         • [1611?], Homer, “Book XXIIII”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., The Iliads of Homer Prince of Poets. […], London: […] Nathaniell Butter, →OCLC ↗; republished as The Iliads of Homer, Prince of Poets, […], new edition, volume I, London: Charles Knight and Co., […], 1843, →OCLC ↗, page 341 ↗:

           [G]uards vvere held, at all parts, dayes and nights, / For feare of falſe ſurpriſe before, they had impoſde the crovvne / To theſe ſolemnities.

           The spelling has been modernized.

2. (intransitive) Chiefly followed by on or upon.
   1. To affect authoritatively or forcefully; to influence strongly.
      • 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Truth”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC ↗, pages 1–2 ↗:

        But it is not onely the Difficultie, and Labour, vvhich Men take in finding out of Truth; nor againe, that vvhen it is found, it impoſeth vpon mens Thoughts; that doth bring Lies in fauour: But a naturall, though corrupt Loue, of the Lie it ſelfe.

      • 1669 April 9 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Samuel Pepys, Mynors Bright, transcriber, “March 30th, 1669”, in Henry B[enjamin] Wheatley, editor, The Diary of Samuel Pepys […], volume VIII, London: George Bell & Sons […]; Cambridge: Deighton Bell & Co., published 1896, →OCLC ↗, page 279 ↗:

        But I perceive they do think that I know too much, and shall impose upon whomever shall come next, and therefore must be removed, […]

      • 1887, Robert Browning, “Fust and His Friends: An Epilogue”, in Parleyings with Certain People of Importance in Their Day: […], London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC ↗, page 253 ↗:

        From no task Thou, Creator, imposedst! Creation / Revealed me no object, from insect to Man, / But bore Thy hand's impress: […]

   2. To encroach or intrude, especially in a manner regarded as unfair or unwarranted; to presume, to take advantage of; also, to be a burden or inconvenience.

      I don’t wish to impose upon you.

      • 1667 January 19 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Samuel Pepys, Mynors Bright, transcriber, “January 9th, 1666–1667”, in Henry B[enjamin] Wheatley, editor, The Diary of Samuel Pepys […], volume VI, London: George Bell & Sons […]; Cambridge: Deighton Bell & Co., published 1895, →OCLC ↗, page 127 ↗:

        [T]hey do not rob the King of any right he ever had, for he never had a power to do hurt to his people, nor would exercise it: and therefore there is no danger, in the passing this Bill, of imposing on his prerogative; […]

      • 1813 January 26, [Jane Austen], chapter XI, in Pride and Prejudice: […], volume II, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC ↗, page 129 ↗:

        Your character was unfolded in the recital which I received many months ago from Mr. Wickham. On this subject, what can you have to say? In what imaginary act of friendship can you here defend yourself? or under what misrepresentation can you here impose upon others?"

   3. To practise deceit or stealth; to cheat, to deceive, to trick.
      • 1886, Richard F[rancis] Burton, transl. and editor, “Ma’aruf the Cobbler and His Wife Fatimah. [Night 994.]”, in A Plain and Literal Translation of the Arabian Nights' Entertainments, now Entituled The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night […], Shammar edition, volume X, [London]: […] Burton Club […], →OCLC ↗, page 23 ↗:

        Know, that thou imposedst upon my sire and deceivedst him by dint of thy deluding vaunts, so that of his greed for gain he married me to thee.

   4. (obsolete) To subject to an impost, levy, tax, etc.
      • a. 1619 (date written), Walter Raleigh, “The Prerogative of Parliaments in England. Proved in a Dialogue between a Councellour of State, and a Justice of Peace. […]”, in Remains of Sir Walter Raleigh; […], London: […] William Sheares […], published 1661, →OCLC ↗, page 96 ↗:

        To impoſe upon all things brought into the Kin[g]dome is very ancient: vvhich impoſing vvhen it hath been continued a certain time, is them called Cuſtomes, becauſe the ſubjects are accuſtomed to pay it, and yet the great taxe upon vvine is ſtill called Impoſt, becauſe it vvas impoſed after the ordinary rate of payment, had laſted many years.

      • 1871 December, Robert Browning, Prince Hohenstiel-Schwangau, Saviour of Society, London: Smith, Elder and Co., →OCLC ↗, page 124 ↗:

        [W]hoso rhymes a sonnet pays a tax, / Who paints a landscape dips brush at his cost, / Who scores a septett true for strings and wind / Mulcted must be—else how should I impose / Properly, attitudinize aright, / Did such conflicting claims as these divert / Hohenstiel-Schwangau from observing me?

• imposition
• impost
• postpone
• propone

• propose
• reimposition
• superimposition

• French: imposer
• German: auferlegen, aufzwingen
• Italian: imporre
• Portuguese: impor
• Russian: налага́ть
• Spanish: imponer

• French: imposer
• German: auferlegen
• Italian: abusare
• Portuguese: abusar
• Russian: навязыва́ться

impose (plural imposes)

1. (obsolete) An act of placing or putting on something chiefly immaterial, especially something regarded as burdensome as a duty, a task, etc.; an imposition.
   • c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act IV, scene iii], page 34 ↗, column 1:

     According to your Ladiſhips impoſe, / I am thus early come, to knovv vvhat ſeruice / It is your pleaſure to command me in.