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

In 2020, Copia Lending provided the loan that ultimately became delinquent and led to the streamlined foreclosure. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025

Singh previously worked with Mamdani at Chhaya Community Development Corporation, a Queens nonprofit, on tenant organizing while Mamdani was a foreclosure prevention counselor. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025

The former couple finally sold their home one month after the property faced foreclosure and was about to be put up for public auction. —Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025

Concord’s mayoral race features three candidates, and public records show two have faced federal tax liens, traffic violations, foreclosure and an assault charge. —Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foreclosure

• nondisclosure
• postexposure
• closure
• crozier
• hosier
• mosher
• 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