appraisal
noun
ap·prais·al
ə-ˈprā-zəl 
: an act or instance of appraising something or someone
a damage appraisal
They gave us an honest appraisal of our chances.
especially
: a valuation of property by the estimate of an authorized person
sought an appraisal of her jewelry
real estate appraisals
Examples of appraisal in a Sentence
the appraisal of some jewelry
I made a quick appraisal of the situation and decided to leave right away.
The book is an excellent appraisal of the influences that have shaped our government.
Recent Examples on the Web
In a memo, Levine Cava said the county obtained three appraisals for the land.
—
Douglas Hanks
june 16, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
The town halls provided insight on topics including road projects, county assistance programs and protesting property appraisals.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026
Most purchase agreements include an appraisal or financing contingency that clearly outlines what happens if the appraisal comes in low.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026
Radical approaches to what is precious and what is worthless—or appraisal—have always been more than the inversion of that which is useless made priceless, what was originally meant to be ephemeral made timeless.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for appraisal
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Douglas Hanks
june 16, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
The town halls provided insight on topics including road projects, county assistance programs and protesting property appraisals.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026
Most purchase agreements include an appraisal or financing contingency that clearly outlines what happens if the appraisal comes in low.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026
Radical approaches to what is precious and what is worthless—or appraisal—have always been more than the inversion of that which is useless made priceless, what was originally meant to be ephemeral made timeless.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for appraisal
Cite this Entry
“Appraisal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appraisal. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
appraisal
noun
ap·prais·al
ə-ˈprā-zəl
: an act or instance of appraising
Legal Definition
appraisal
noun
ap·prais·al
ə-ˈprā-zəl
: a valuation of property by the estimate of an authorized person: as
a
: the determination of the fair value of a corporation's stock by a judicial proceeding that a dissenting shareholder is usually entitled by statute to demand in a case of extraordinary corporate action (as a merger) see also dissent entry 1 sense 1
b
: the estimation of the value of real estate for the purpose of taxation, sale, or securing a mortgage
c
: the estimation of the value of damage done to property for the purpose of adjusting an insurance claim
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