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

Listen to this article The new mall owner plans to boost leasing and tackle maintenance as their first priorities after taking control of one of Connecticut’s largest indoor malls — in foreclosure since 2021. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2025

Home in foreclosure, a mobile mechanic Online records show that his Canby Street home was in foreclosure last year and sold in September for $60,000. —Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025

To avoid further financial loss after the city placed a lien on the property for unpaid water bills, the owners transferred the deed to the city in lieu of foreclosure, according to the agreement. —Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025

Its owner is attempting to attract financing to avoid foreclosure. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 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