impressment
noun
im·press·ment
im-ˈpres-mənt 
: the act of seizing for public use or of impressing into public service
Examples of impressment in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In fact, by the late summer of 1812, the British had eliminated the orders in council, leaving impressment as the only unresolved issue of any consequence.
—
Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2012
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.
—Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2023
Jefferson’s accession to the presidency coincided with demands for higher payments and the impressment of a U.S. Navy frigate, the USS George Washington, by the Dey of Algiers as a courier vessel.
—John Yoo, National Review, 15 Jan. 2020
These distinctive tattoos were then recorded in their personal Seamen’s Protection Certificates, which were used as identification and to help stave off impressment.
—Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2012
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.
—Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2023
Jefferson’s accession to the presidency coincided with demands for higher payments and the impressment of a U.S. Navy frigate, the USS George Washington, by the Dey of Algiers as a courier vessel.
—John Yoo, National Review, 15 Jan. 2020
These distinctive tattoos were then recorded in their personal Seamen’s Protection Certificates, which were used as identification and to help stave off impressment.
—Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2017
Dictionary Entries Near impressment
Cite this Entry
“Impressment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impressment. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share