freehold

noun

free·​hold ˈfrē-ˌhōld How to pronounce freehold (audio)
1
: a tenure of real property by which an estate in fee simple or fee tail or an estate for life is held
also : an estate held by such tenure compare fee sense 1
2
British : an estate held in fee simple
freehold adjective or adverb
freeholder noun

Examples of freehold in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Ming Arcade is one of two rare freehold shopping malls sold in the vicinity of Orchard Road in 2022. Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023 The company will start marketing the 246 freehold residences, including a super penthouse, at the site of the former Fuji Xerox Towers on Anson Road, in the first half of this year. Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2023 Freehold: The Israeli government allows anyone to purchase property on freehold land regardless of religion or citizenship. Laura Latham, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2021 The residents want China and the UK to agree a deal to transfer ownership of the part of the freehold that relates to their buildings. Max Foster, CNN, 2 Dec. 2022 Some 65% of Whitbread’s estate is freehold, and international buyers might be attracted by the prospect of using the dirt-cheap pound to grab themselves some British property assets. Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2019 But sale-and-leaseback deals (when companies sell off freehold sites and rent them back) are risky. Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'freehold.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near freehold

Cite this Entry

“Freehold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freehold. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

freehold

noun
free·​hold ˈfrē-ˌhōld How to pronounce freehold (audio)
: a tenure of real property the duration of which cannot be determined and by which an estate in fee simple or fee tail or for life is held
also : an estate held by such tenure compare leasehold
freehold adjective or adverb
Etymology

translation of Anglo-French frank tenement freehold estate

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