forfeit

noun

for·feit | \ ˈfȯr-fət

Definition of forfeit

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

3a : 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

verb

forfeited; forfeiting; forfeits

Definition of forfeit (Entry 2 of 3)

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

forfeit

adjective

Definition of forfeit (Entry 3 of 3)

: forfeited or subject to forfeiture

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Synonyms for forfeit

Synonyms: Noun

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 Furthermore, a game canceled because of COVID wouldn’t go down as a forfeit, which might incentivize players or parents to conceal a positive test. — Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, "A Utah youth football league of 6,000 kids played an 11-week season. Very few got COVID-19.," 10 Nov. 2020 The Knights — with Benny and three-star MSU running back commit Davion Primm — appeared headed for an early postseason exit after going winless during the regular season, (including a forfeit by Birmingham Groves). — Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, "Oak Park DT Rayshaun Benny to delay signing with Michigan State football until February," 13 Dec. 2020 Plano Prestonwood Christian won its first-round TAPPS playoff game by forfeit because San Antonio Christian couldn’t play. — Greg Riddle, Dallas News, "Arlington Seguin is first Dallas-area football team to forfeit playoff game for COVID-19 reasons, South Oak Cliff advances," 12 Dec. 2020 Linden won four games by forfeit – over Sumter Central, Ellwood Christian, R.C. Hatch and A.L. Johnson. — al, "A look at this week’s Class 1A-4A state championship games," 1 Dec. 2020 Hamilton will play No. 6 seed Tucson Salpointe Catholic, who advanced to the second round after a forfeit from Scottsdale Saguaro, which was forced to drop out because of COVID-19. — The Arizona Republic, "Roundup of key Arizona high school quarterfinal playoff games," 27 Nov. 2020 The forfeit potentially cost the Loyal three points for a victory in its final game but not, ultimately, a spot in the USL Championship playoffs. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, "San Diego, Phoenix soccer teams trade accusations, denials in alleged homophobic incident," 1 Oct. 2020 At present there are vast areas of public and tax forfeit land in Minnesota that could be returned without taking land from anyone. — Star Tribune, "Readers Write: Outstate COVID restrictions, pandemic's effects, Native and disadvantaged communities," 19 Dec. 2020 Record: 6-0; Last result: Won by forfeit over Coconut Creek Monarch. — Usa Today Network, USA TODAY, "USA TODAY Sports high school regional football rankings for Dec. 15, 2020," 15 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb This fall, the North Olmsted High School football team had to forfeit games due to COVID-19 exposure. — John Benson, cleveland, "North Olmsted City Schools superintendent excited about winter sports season," 18 Dec. 2020 Any positive tests now and moving forward could force lengthy quarantines that result in squads having to forfeit playoff games and end their seasons. — Keith Dunlap, Detroit Free Press, "Orchard Lake St. Mary's regular season might be over after player's positive COVID-19 test," 14 Oct. 2020 The team had to forfeit one game, then call in a makeshift squad of players from outside Norway for a second — and still almost beat Austria. — Jon Marthaler, Star Tribune, "Soccer's allure is hurt because of empty stands," 20 Nov. 2020 Rio Hondo canceled its season and Port Isabel had to forfeit its game against Raymondville because of the virus, leaving the Bearkats as a playoff qualifier. — David Hinojosa, ExpressNews.com, "HS Football: Scouting Week 13’s top games in the San Antonio area," 18 Nov. 2020 In Pennsylvania, Warwick High School’s football team had to forfeit its championship game because of multiple COVID-19 cases in the school district. — jsonline.com, "Should your child participate in the winter sports season? The data is limited, and mixed.," 13 Nov. 2020 The Loyal requested to forfeit its point from last week’s tie against the Galaxy, which would have lowered its total to 22. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, "San Diego, Phoenix soccer teams trade accusations, denials in alleged homophobic incident," 1 Oct. 2020 The government seeks to forfeit more than $686,000 in cash seized during the investigation. — Madeline Mitchell, The Enquirer, "Feds: 6 charged in drug conspiracy Dayton detective was investigating when he was shot and killed," 27 Aug. 2020 The War Eagles had to forfeit two games due to COVID-19 concerns. — Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, "Longtime Thomasville football coach Jack Hankins Jr. hired at Wayne County, Miss.," 26 Jan. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective However, both of those games will now go down as forfeit losses. — Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, "Unbeaten, No. 3-ranked Flomaton cancels next 2 games amid COVID-19 concerns," 16 Oct. 2020 Handley was 7-0 – with two forfeit victories – before falling 15-14 in the regular season finale to Central of Clay County. — Al.com Staff, al, "Handley runs past Montevallo 42-13 to earn Class 4A quarterfinals berth," 14 Nov. 2020 The game will be recorded as a forfeit loss for Shaw, thereby advancing Curtis to the state quarterfinal round against Scotlandville. — Chris Dabe, NOLA.com, "Shaw-Curtis playoff football game canceled due to ‘positive COVID situation’ at Shaw," 26 Nov. 2020 The judge also made her forfeit 16 hours of vacation time in August after a technical issue while working from home rather than providing an alternative arrangement, the notice states. — Paulina Pineda, The Arizona Republic, "Chandler judge accused of retaliation after employee claims racial discrimination," 19 Nov. 2020 Be prepared to forfeit games if safety guidelines are breached. — Eric Sondheimer Columnist, Los Angeles Times, "Column: It’s time to trust coaches and educators: Let kids play sports," 6 Nov. 2020 Multiple teams have been forced to forfeit games and quarantine each week, but the majority are still playing as the playoffs near. — Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, "Mark Rose, vocal critic of playing in the pandemic, stepping down at Russell County?," 8 Oct. 2020 Saraland’s only losses this year were a forfeit loss to Hewitt-Trussville in Week 2 and a 24-21 loss to Region 1 champ Spanish Fort on Oct. 2. — Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, "5 first-round playoff games to watch in Coastal Alabama this week," 3 Nov. 2020 The Jaguars then lost to Linden (28-12) and T.R. Miller (37-20) before receiving a forfeit win from Flomaton last week. — Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, "5 high school games to Watch in Coastal Alabama in Week 10," 20 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'forfeit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

14 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Forfeit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forfeit. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for forfeit

forfeit

noun

English Language Learners Definition of forfeit

(Entry 1 of 3)

: something that is lost or given up as punishment or because of a rule or law

forfeit

verb

English Language Learners Definition of forfeit (Entry 2 of 3)

: to lose or give up (something) as a punishment or because of a rule or law

forfeit

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of forfeit (Entry 3 of 3)

formal : given up or taken away as a punishment or because of a rule or law

See the full definition for forfeit in the English Language Learners Dictionary

forfeit

verb

for·feit | \ ˈfȯr-fət

forfeited; forfeiting

Kids Definition of forfeit

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to lose or lose the right to as punishment for a fault, error, or crime “If we stop now, we'll have to forfeit the match!” said Harry.— J. K. Rowling, Chamber of Secrets

forfeit

noun

Kids Definition of forfeit (Entry 2 of 2)

: something or the right to something lost as punishment for a fault, error, or crime

forfeit

noun

for·feit | \ ˈfȯr-fət

Legal Definition of forfeit

(Entry 1 of 3)

: something forfeited or subject to being forfeited

forfeit

transitive verb

Legal Definition of forfeit (Entry 2 of 3)

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)