Encumbrance

//ɪnˈkʌm.bɹəns// noun, verb

noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Something that encumbers; a burden that must be carried. countable, uncountable

    "Some consideration was necessary to decide whether or not to leave his rifle there. On the return, carrying the girl and a pack, it would be added encumbrance[…]"

  2. 2
    any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome wordnet
  3. 3
    Alternative spelling of incumbrance (“in law: interest attached to a title; dependent”). alt-of, alternative, countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    an onerous or difficult concern wordnet
  5. 5
    The state or condition of being encumbered. countable, uncountable
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  1. 6
    a charge against property (as a lien or mortgage) wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To apply an encumbrance to (property, etc.).

Synonyms

All synonyms
burdenhindranceafflictionalbatrossbalebar

Example

More examples

"Since the temperature has warmed, my coat has become an encumbrance."

Etymology

From Middle English encombraunce, from Old French encombrance, from encombrer.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.