impressment

[ im-pres-muhnt ]

noun

1. the act of impressing impress people or property into public service or use.

impressment

/ ɪmˈprɛsmənt /

noun

1. the commandeering or conscription of things or men into government service

Word History and Origins

Origin of impressment¹

First recorded in 1780–90; impress ² + -ment

Example Sentences

The crew was a combustible mix of regular sailors, marines and impressed crewmen — impressment being a kind of slavery wherein men were kidnapped and forced to serve for an indefinite period.

From Los Angeles Times

It recognized England’s right to retain tariffs on American exports while granting English imports most-favored status in the United States; it implicitly accepted English impressment of American sailors.

From Literature

He opened it with much impressment—assumed, of course—and showed a great bundle of white flowers.

From Literature

Outraged by British impressment of American sailors into the Royal Navy, he banged the drum for war, declaring that “the liberty of our sailors and their redemption from slavery” were at stake.

From New York Times

It’s far worse to compare the Trump administration’s actions to Tuesday’s mostly rosy rhetoric, and to conclude that the impressment of those rituals, those locales, was anything but sincere.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conscription
• lottery
• selection