foreclosure

noun

fore·​clo·​sure (ˌ)fȯr-ˈklō-zhər 

: 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

The Federal Reserve building’s current owner is Delta Quad Holdings, which has faced several foreclosure proceedings on the property over the past two years and filed multiple bankruptcies in federal court. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026

Because the home secures the loan, falling behind on payments could put the property at risk of foreclosure. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 12 June 2026

Rising property values for logistics and industrial buildings contrast with the delinquent loans and foreclosures that have swamped the Bay Area’s office, hotel, and apartment markets. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 11 June 2026

Meanwhile, projects faltered, properties fell into foreclosure, and vulnerable tenants faced displacement and eviction. —Michele Steeb, Oc Register, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foreclosure

• nondisclosure
• postexposure
• closure
• crozier
• mosher
• osier
• composure
• cynosure
• disclosure
• enclosure
• exposure
• inclosure

Legal Definition

foreclosure

noun

fore·​clos·​ure fōr-ˈklō-zhər 

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