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

Because the sale of the interest is by the bankruptcy trustee's sale pursuant to federal bankruptcy law, a state law prohibition against foreclosure is probably not going to be a barrier. —Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

According to the foreclosure lawsuit, Birdman has yet to respond and hire an attorney. —Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025

Others had lost their homes through mortgage foreclosures. —Benjamin Cunningham Edu Bayer, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025

While real estate and unemployment figures remain relatively stable, concerns exist about rising foreclosures and potential job losses. —Russ Wiles, USA Today, 24 Apr. 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