arrear

ar·rear | \ ə-ˈrir

Definition of arrear

1 : the state of being behind in the discharge of obligations —usually used in pluralThey were in arrears with the rent. [=they had failed to pay the rent when it was due]

2a : an unfinished duty —usually used in pluralarrears of work that have piled up

b : an unpaid and overdue debt —usually used in pluralpaying off the arrears of the past several months

Examples of arrear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web On May 28th the lower house of parliament passed a non-binding motion calling on the government to bring down arrears, and to study mini-BOTs in detail. — The Economist, "An idea for a parallel currency resurfaces in Italy," 28 June 2019 Property taxes are assessed in arrears, meaning that the property tax deduction producers take in 2019 is based on production that took place in 2017. — Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, "Colorado severance tax collections expected to drop sharply, even though a bust is nowhere in sight," 18 Aug. 2019 The same calculus holds true of squabbles with NATO friends in arrears, and with enemies such as an unhinged North Korea. — Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, "The Economy, Father of Us All," 23 July 2019 His 14,748 career rushing yards are fourth in NFL history, 521 yards arrears of Barry Sanders. — Gary Peterson, The Mercury News, "Ageless Frank Gore bound for Buffalo and 15th NFL season, but intends to retire a 49er," 8 July 2019 The country also needs foreign assistance, but the IMF has said a financial program will only be possible if Zimbabwe clears its arrears with international institutions -- such as the fund’s sister organization the World Bank -- and other creditors. — Bloomberg.com, "Zimbabwe’s Ruling Party Ready to Scrap Mugabe Policies, Officials Say," 6 Mar. 2018 The 25-year-old Texan bumbled his way to a 76 that put him four shots in arrears of winner Francisco Molinari, who certainly played well enough to win but benefited mightily from Spieth’s collapse. — Paul Newberry, The Seattle Times, "Masters: What’s wrong with Jordan Spieth?," 11 Apr. 2019 The central bank’s governor, John Mangudya, in an interview at his gated mansion outside Harare, said the government might borrow money from commercial banks to pay off some of the arrears and unlock assistance from development banks for the rest. — Gabriele Steinhauser, WSJ, "Looming Election Is Vital for Zimbabwe," 15 June 2018 The head of the bank said in September that the dictatorships in Havana and Caracas have outstanding loans of $1 billion and both are in arrears. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Bolsonaro’s Hope and Change," 29 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arrear.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.