forfeit

1 of 3

noun

for·​feit ˈfȯr-fət 

1

: something forfeited or subject to being forfeited (as for a crime, offense, or neglect of duty) : penalty

They were required to pay a forfeit.

2

: forfeiture especially of civil rights

3

a

: something deposited (as for making a mistake in a game) and then redeemed on payment of a fine

b

forfeits plural : a game in which forfeits are exacted

forfeit

2 of 3

verb

forfeited; forfeiting; forfeits

transitive verb

1

: to lose or lose the right to especially by some error, offense, or crime

2

: to subject to confiscation as a forfeit

also : abandon, give up

forfeitable

ˈfȯr-fə-tə-bəl 

adjective

forfeiter noun

forfeit

3 of 3

adjective

: forfeited or subject to forfeiture

Synonyms

Noun

• penalty
• fine
• damages
• forfeiture

Examples of forfeit in a Sentence

Noun

the forfeit for each baseball player involved in the brawl was $5,000

Verb

He forfeited his right to a trial by jury.

They didn't have enough players, so they ended up having to forfeit.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some of the incidents have even prompted forfeits and even lawsuits. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2025

Batting practice before Southern Section playoff games is not allowed and could result in forfeits. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025

Verb

Louisiana could lose up to $20 billion in federal funding, while Tennessee could lose $16 billion and Missouri stands to forfeit $6.1 billion in funding, according to the estimate Tillis shared with colleagues. —Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 26 June 2025

While Wayne sold his stake for $800 at the time and later received $1,500 to forfeit any claim to the company, his 10% share could now be worth between $75 billion and $300 billion, thanks to the company’s now $3 trillion market cap. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 June 2025

Adjective

Earlier this week, federal Judge Kato Crews in Colorado, appointed by President Biden in January, denied a motion for injunctive relief in a lawsuit by college volleyball players against the conference in efforts to have Fleming not play in the tournament and their forfeit losses rescinded. —Ryan Morik, Fox News, 28 Nov. 2024

Joliet Junior College 19-7, Morton College 3-0 (Game 1, 5 innings: Game 2, forfeit) Game 1 Joliet Junior College (6-10): Samantha Rios 3-for-4, triple, 3 runs, 3 RBIs. —Josh Krockey, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Verb, and Adjective

Middle English forfait, from Anglo-French, from past participle of forfaire, forsfaire to commit a crime, forfeit, from fors outside (from Latin foris) + faire to do, from Latin facere — more at forum, do

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing forfeit

• by forfeit

Kids Definition

forfeit

1 of 2 noun

for·​feit ˈfȯr-fət 

: something forfeited : penalty, fine

forfeit

2 of 2 verb

: to lose or lose the right to as a punishment for an error, offense, or crime

forfeiter noun

Legal Definition

forfeit

1 of 3 noun

for·​feit ˈfȯr-fət 

: something forfeited or subject to being forfeited

forfeit

2 of 3 transitive verb

1

: to lose or lose the right to by some default, failure, or neglect of obligation or duty or by some offense

shall forfeit to the United States…any proceeds which the person obtained, directly or indirectly, from racketeering activity

—U.S. Code

2

: to subject to forfeiture

it shall be placed in the custody of the Collector, who…shall cause a notice of the seizure and intention to forfeit and sell the same

—Morgan v. United States, 107 F. Supp. 501 (1952)

forfeitability

ˌfȯr-fə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē

noun

forfeitable adjective

forfeit

3 of 3 adjective

: forfeited or subject to forfeiture

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French, from Middle French forfait, past participle of forfaire to commit a crime, from fors outside + faire to do