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Definition of impalement

impalement

/ɪmˈpeɪlmənt/
im · pale · ment
Plural:impalements
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impalement Lexical Profile

impalement Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The act of piercing or transfixing something with a sharp instrument or pointed stake, or the state of being so pierced.

Example

"Safety inspectors required protective caps over the exposed steel rods at the construction site to prevent accidental impalement."

2

In heraldry, the marshaling of two coats of arms side by side on a single shield divided vertically down the middle, typically to represent a marriage or an official office.

Example

"The stone archway above the manor entrance displays a heraldic impalement uniting the ancestral arms of the two families."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for impalement

• Rhymes for impalement

• Nearby Words

impairment
impala
impale
impalement
impaler
impart
impartial

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 16th century from the verb 'impale' and the suffix '-ment'. 'Impale' derives from Middle French 'empaler' and Medieval Latin 'impalare', from 'in-' (upon) and 'palus' (stake).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Impalement. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/impalement
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