1. A burden or a hindrance: A mortgage on property is known as an encumbrance because it makes it very difficult to sell it to another person.

While encumbrances usually relate to real-estate property, a purchaser of personal property is provided with a warrant (written assurance) of title against any unknown encumbrances.

2. A extra weight that causes a strain and makes something very difficult to do: Ann's extra suitcase was an encumbrance; especially, when she tried to get on the train.