noun
- the act or state of being burdened or weighed down; an impediment or obstacle
- a legal claim or lien on property that reduces its value or limits its use
Usage: legal/property law
Examples
- The heavy backpack was an encumberment that slowed the hikers down.
- Debt became a serious encumberment to his financial freedom.
- The property had several encumbrements that made it difficult to sell.
- Without the encumberment of unnecessary equipment, the team moved faster.
- A mortgage is a common encumberment on residential real estate.
- She felt the encumberment of family obligations during her college years.