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 small number of foreclosures can make those percentages seem jaw-dropping. —Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 24 June 2025

There are about 80,000 vets in the U.S. behind on their mortgages and heading toward foreclosure, according to data from ICE Mortgage Technology. —Quil Lawrence, NPR, 19 June 2025

The vacant lots came under city ownership by a variety of paths, including foreclosures for unpaid taxes or liens to recoup the cost of demolition after damage by fire or structural collapse. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2025

Now, the owners of the hotels have filed separate bankruptcy proceedings to revamp the finances for the two lodging properties — and to potentially delay the foreclosure auctions. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 June 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