impeachment
/ɪmˈpiːtʃmənt
/noun [mass noun]
1The action of calling into question the integrity or validity of something: the prosecutor’s detailed impeachment of the character witness...
- He called for the impeachment of him and other members of the court.
- It may bring a motion of impeachment.
- The impeachment was spawned by an accusation by his estranged drinking and gambling buddy.
1.1British A charge of treason or another crime against the state: the king cynically abandoned him, encouraging his impeachment...
- The impeachment failed despite his apparent guilt on some of the charges.
- Under impeachment he was confined in the Tower from 1679 to 1684.
- Impeachment by Parliament led to his banishment and murder at sea.
1.2chiefly US A charge of misconduct made against the holder of a public office: the president is facing impeachment over the scandal [count noun]: all impeachments shall be tried by the Senate...
- Other presidents did worse and there were no exposes or impeachments.
- He finally resigned in order to avoid impeachment.
- The two men were warned by the government that they faced impeachment if they didn't step down.