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

There were nearly 400 more foreclosures in the area hit hardest by Sandy, the report shows. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 20 May 2025

Defined as stress or anxiety tied to past financial hardships, financial trauma does not always look like bankruptcy or foreclosure. —Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

That historically translates to an average 40% surge in post-flood foreclosures among damaged homes, according to the report. —Diana Olick, CNBC, 19 May 2025

Those who acted quickly are recovering some money through foreclosures and lawsuit settlements. —Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 13 May 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