noun
impeachment
ihm-PEECH-muhnt
noun
1
The formal process of charging a public official with serious misconduct.
"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
Word Forms
impeachments plural
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Etymology
From Anglo-Norman empechement, ultimately from Latin impedicare, "to entangle, fetter".