encumbrance

noun

en·​cum·​brance in-ˈkəm-brən(t)s How to pronounce encumbrance (audio)
1
: something that encumbers : impediment, burden
2
: a claim (such as a mortgage) against property

Examples of encumbrance in a Sentence

without the encumbrance of a heavy backpack, I could sprint along the trail
Recent Examples on the Web There have been suggestions that AI needs Section 230 because large language models train on data and will be better if that data is freely usable with no liabilities or encumbrances. Jaron Lanier, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2024 But, eventually, families and jobs and the various other encumbrances of adult life conspire to pull you away. Andrew Keh Bryan Meltz, New York Times, 24 July 2023 The house, together with all its conveyances, encumbrances, assignments, contracts, mortgages, liens, other interests, termites and skunks. Virginia Hammerle, Dallas News, 26 Mar. 2023 At this point, minor villains can only be an encumbrance. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2023 Without the encumbrance of a mask. Danielle Ofri, STAT, 14 May 2021 Both a falcon feather and a hammer fall at the same speed, but without the encumbrance of a massive vacuum chamber. Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2014 On the other hand, Israel, which American strategists originally saw as an encumbrance, was reappraised as a valuable strategic player after the 1956 and 1967 wars, and finally recognized as the most reliable regional ally. Michel Gurfinkiel, WSJ, 29 July 2022 No longer, Kennedy Center officials say, will any of the actors carry their scripts onstage, a practice that was a concession to short rehearsal periods but that over time has proved an encumbrance. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'encumbrance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of encumbrance was in 1535

Dictionary Entries Near encumbrance

Cite this Entry

“Encumbrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encumbrance. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

encumbrance

noun
en·​cum·​brance in-ˈkəm-brən(t)s How to pronounce encumbrance (audio)
1
: something that encumbers : burden
2
: a legal claim (as a mortgage) against property

Legal Definition

encumbrance

noun
en·​cum·​brance
variants also incumbrance
in-ˈkəm-brəns
: a claim (as a lien) against property
specifically : an interest or right (as an easement or a lease) in real property that may diminish the value of the estate but does not prevent the conveyance of the estate
that these premises are free from all encumbrances

More from Merriam-Webster on encumbrance

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