receivership

noun

re·​ceiv·​er·​ship ri-ˈsē-vər-ˌship How to pronounce receivership (audio)
1
: the office or function of a receiver
2
: the state of being in the hands of a receiver

Examples of receivership in a Sentence

Years of financial difficulty eventually placed the company into receivership.
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.
Greenwood Cemetery and Eastern Cemetery, which was owned by the same company, were put in receivership in 1989, and excavations found that around 80,000 people had been buried on land that was meant to hold 15,000. — Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Aug. 2026 However the company was put into receivership in March and 93 letters went to potential buyers. — Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The list would also create a mechanism for the state to directly oversee a utility company if necessary through receivership. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026 The sale followed a tumultuous period for the property, which fell into receivership in 2021 and faced high-profile security concerns and financial instability. — Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for receivership

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of receivership was in the 15th century

Rhymes for receivership

See All Rhymes for receivership

Browse Nearby Words

receiver ring
receivership
receiving barn
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

receivership

noun
re·​ceiv·​er·​ship ri-ˈsē-vər-ˌship How to pronounce receivership (audio)
1
: the office or role of a receiver
2
: the state of being in the control of a receiver

Legal Definition

receivership

noun
re·​ceiv·​er·​ship ri-ˈsē-vər-ˌship How to pronounce receivership (audio)
1
: the office or function of a receiver
2
: a proceeding in which a receiver is appointed
3
: the state of being in the hands of a receiver compare bankruptcy

More from Merriam-Webster on receivership

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about receivership

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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