noun
Uncommon
impeachment
ihm-PEECH-muhnt
Impeachment (noun) means the formal process of charging a public official with serious misconduct. Example: “The impeachment proceedings lasted several weeks.”
noun
1
The formal process of charging a public official with serious misconduct.
"In Juazeiro do Norte, demonstrators cornered the mayor inside a bank for hours and called for his impeachment, while thousands of others protested teachers’ salaries."
— Simon Romero, Protests Widen as Brazilians Chide Leaders (2013)
"The impeachment proceedings lasted several weeks."
2
A challenge to the credibility of a witness or testimony in court.
"The lawyer's cross-examination was a classic impeachment of the witness."
How to use impeachment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe formal accusation process against an official, or the act of undermining a witness's credibility in court.
Common pairings
impeachment trial
impeachment proceedings
articles of impeachment
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Word forms
- Plural
- impeachments
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The _____ proceedings lasted several weeks.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman empechement, ultimately from Latin impedicare, "to entangle, fetter".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for impeachment
See all rhymes for impeachment →Frequently asked questions
What does “impeachment” mean?
The word “impeachment” means the formal process of charging a public official with serious misconduct. In plain terms, the formal accusation process against an official, or the act of undermining a witness's credibility in court.
How do you pronounce “impeachment”?
“Impeachment” is pronounced ihm-PEECH-muhnt (/ɪmˈpiːt͡ʃ.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “impeachment” in a sentence?
Here is “impeachment” used in a sentence: “The impeachment proceedings lasted several weeks.”
What part of speech is “impeachment”?
“Impeachment” is a noun.
Where does the word “impeachment” come from?
The word “impeachment” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman empechement, ultimately from Latin impedicare, "to entangle, fetter".
Is “impeachment” a common word?
“Impeachment” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “impeachment” have?
“Impeachment” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the formal process of charging a public official with serious misconduct.
What is the difference between impeachment and removal from office?
Impeachment is the formal process of charging a public official with serious misconduct; it is an accusation, not a conviction. Removal from office is a separate, later step that only happens if the charges are upheld, so an official can be impeached without ultimately being removed.
Does impeachment always mean removal from office?
No. Impeachment only refers to the formal charging process. Whether the official is actually removed depends on further proceedings, so impeachment and removal are distinct stages, not the same event.
What does impeachment of a witness mean in court?
In a legal setting, impeachment can also mean challenging the credibility of a witness or their testimony, for example by showing inconsistencies in what they said. This is a different sense of impeachment from the political meaning involving public officials.
