noun. The act or policy of seizing persons and compelling them to serve in the military, especially in naval forces.

noun. The act or policy of seizing property for public use, especially for military purposes.

noun. The act of imposing a constructive trust or a lien upon property, as a matter of equity, to protect a person without legal title but with a legally recognized interest.

noun. The act of impressing; the act of seizing for public use, or of compelling to enter the public service; compulsion to serve: as, the impressment of provisions, or of sailors or nurses.

noun. The act of seizing for public use, or of impressing into public service; compulsion to serve.

noun. The act of seizing for public use; impressing into public service.

noun. the act of coercing someone into government service

"In this power of impressment is a good part of a ruler's greatness."