HealthJuly 4, 2026

impeachment

/ɪmˈpiːtʃmənt/

Definition

The formal process by which a legislative body charges a government official with misconduct, potentially leading to their removal from office.

Etymology

The word comes from the Anglo-Norman 'empecher,' meaning to hinder, prevent, or impede. It evolved in English legal contexts to specifically denote the formal accusation or 'hindering' of an official for improper conduct.

In the news

The word appears in a list of 'Most Popular' articles referencing an Air Force major who called for the impeachment of a political official. It is used in the context of political accountability and the removal of public figures from power.

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The Hill

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