impossibility

noun

im·​pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty (ˌ)im-ˌpä-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce impossibility (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being impossible
2
: something impossible

Examples of impossibility in a Sentence

The blizzard made travel an impossibility. the impossibility of knowing what the future will bring
Recent Examples on the Web Understanding the impossibility of being wholly authentic in every single situation can reduce the burden of needing to bring your full self to each interaction. —Allie Volpe, Vox, 13 Aug. 2024 Still grieving the loss of her own child, Lib is torn between investigating the medical impossibility and growing concern for Anna herself. —Matt Kamen, WIRED, 6 July 2024 The proof joins a long line of work on the mathematical impossibility of complete disorder. —Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2024 This spanned everything from finally buying a house to spending money on medication to the impossibility of living comfortably on the UK's minimum wage. —Tanyel Mustafa, refinery29.com, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impossibility 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impossibility.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of impossibility was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near impossibility

impossibilist

impossibility

impossible

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Impossibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impossibility. Accessed 7 Sep. 2024.

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Kids Definition

impossibility

noun
im·​pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty (ˌ)im-ˌpäs-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce impossibility (audio)
plural impossibilities
1
: the quality or state of being impossible
2
: something impossible

Legal Definition

impossibility

noun
im·​pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty
plural impossibilities
1
: the quality or state of being impossible
also : the affirmative defense that something (as performance) is impossible
2
: something impossible
3
: impossibility of performance in this entry
— factual impossibility
: impossibility based on factual circumstances
specifically : a partial defense to criminal liability based on the incompletion of an intended criminal act

Note: Factual impossibility is not a complete defense and does allow prosecution for attempt or for another inchoate offense. For example, if the defendant constructed a bomb that failed to explode, factual impossibility would be a defense against murder charges, but not attempted murder.

— impossibility of performance
: a doctrine in contract law that a party may be released from liability for breach of contract for failing to perform an obligation that is rendered impossible by uncontrollable circumstances (as death or failure of the means of delivery)
: a defense to breach of contract or a basis for release from contractual obligations because of impossibility of performance compare frustration, impracticability
— legal impossibility
: impossibility based on or with reference to a law
specifically : a complete defense to criminal liability based on the commitment of acts that are not criminal or illegal

Note: Legal impossibility is founded on the principle that an act is not a crime unless there is a law prohibiting it.

More from Merriam-Webster on impossibility

Nglish: Translation of impossibility for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of impossibility for Arabic Speakers

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