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 move comes just five months after the property was listed in April by real estate services firm CBRE, which has managed the over 3-acre complex since its 2022 foreclosure. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2026

Experts warned in a congressional roundtable in September that time is running out for the government to help these vets or a wave of foreclosures is still to come. — Quil Lawrence, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026

Ten million families lost their homes to foreclosure, but Wall Street bankers continued to receive their lucrative bonuses and wealthy investors got richer as the policies boosted the stock market. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026

Long Island historic landmark Oheka Castle has been sold for $72 million after being in foreclosure for more than a decade. — Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 28 Oct. 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