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.
Missing a payment doesn’t immediately trigger foreclosure (when a lender takes back the property and sells it to recover what’s owed). — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 Missing these can come with major risks such as eviction and foreclosure. — Mallika Mitra, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Pacific Life took control of The Shops at North Bridge in 2024 through a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. — Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 Neumann fears a victory for Welcome to Realty would harm others whose homes fall under Denver’s inclusionary housing ordinance and are subject to foreclosures by metro districts and HOAs. — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 5 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 11 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of foreclosure for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about foreclosure

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