What does the term "impeachment" refer to?

Impeachment primarily refers to the process of filing charges against a federal official, typically a President, federal judges, or other high-ranking officials. This process is outlined in the U.S. Constitution and involves the House of Representatives bringing charges, which can lead to a formal trial in the Senate. If a simple majority in the House approves the articles of impeachment, the official is impeached, which does not remove them from office but rather initiates a process that could lead to removal.

The distinction lies in understanding that impeachment itself does not equate to removal; rather, it is the first step in a multi-step process wherein officials can be held accountable for misconduct. Therefore, the correct interpretation of impeachment is as an accusatory process without presuming the outcome of removal, which takes place subsequent to the impeachment by the House.