foreclosure

noun

fore·​clo·​sure (ˌ)fȯr-ˈklō-zhər How to pronounce foreclosure (audio)
: an act or instance of foreclosing
specifically : a legal proceeding that bars or extinguishes a mortgagor's right of redeeming a mortgaged estate

Examples of foreclosure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If the assumed loan goes into default, the foreclosure could cost you (if a formal release of reliability wasn’t submitted). — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 There is no indication that Hamels, who originally commissioned the home, is connected to the foreclosure. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026 Homebuyers tend to put more money down than in the Wild West mortgage market of the early 2000s, possibly reducing risk of foreclosure. — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 After successfully bidding $525,000 to buy the home at auction, Marchion had an attorney file paperwork in July to open the judgment on the foreclosure case. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foreclosure

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreclosure was in 1713

Rhymes for foreclosure

See All Rhymes for foreclosure

Browse Nearby Words

foreclose
foreclosure
foreconceive
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foreclosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreclosure. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Legal Definition

foreclosure

noun
fore·​clos·​ure fōr-ˈklō-zhər How to pronounce foreclosure (audio)
1
: a legal proceeding that bars or extinguishes a mortgagor's equity of redemption in mortgaged real property see also deficiency judgment at judgment, redeem, right of redemption, statutory foreclosure, strict foreclosure sense 1
2
: the extinguishment (as under the provisions of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) of the rights of a debtor in personal property subject to a security interest by judicial proceedings and especially by judicial sale see also strict foreclosure sense 2

More from Merriam-Webster on foreclosure

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about foreclosure

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