1. a tax, duty, or tribute imposed by a government
Usage: formal
2. the upper part of a pillar or wall that supports an arch
Usage: architecture

Examples

• The government levied a new impost on imported goods.
• Citizens protested the heavy impost on luxury items.
• The stone impost bore the weight of the cathedral’s arches.
• Medieval kings often raised funds through various imposts.
• The architect carefully designed the impost to distribute the arch’s load.
• Trade suffered under the burden of excessive imposts.