forfeit
noun
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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
verbDefinition of forfeit (Entry 2 of 3)
1 : to lose or lose the right to especially by some error, offense, or crime
forfeit
adjectiveDefinition of forfeit (Entry 3 of 3)
: forfeited or subject to forfeiture
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Other Words from forfeit
Verb
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adjective
Synonyms for forfeit
Synonyms: Noun
damages, fine, forfeiture, mulct, penalty
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Examples of forfeit in a Sentence
Noun
the forfeit for each baseball player involved in the brawl was $5,000Verb
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
No other team would play against them, so the Jaycees made their way to the championship courtesy of forfeits. — George Diaz, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando Little League reunion offers perfect pitch of colorblind history," 10 Apr. 2018 When one of the ineligible players participated in a tournament game the result was a forfeit. — Scott Springer, Cincinnati.com, "Springer: Which Greater Cincinnati schools may jump leagues?," 2 Mar. 2018 Five days later, the Rangers' game in Cleveland was cut short and the Rangers were awarded a forfeit win after fans attacked Texas outfielder Jeff Burroughs and the umpires. — Stefan Stevenson, star-telegram, "Watch the Rangers-Indians brawl from 1974 five days before the infamous 10-cent beer night fiasco | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 21 May 2018 More: Scecina avoids forfeit, but pitcher ruled ineligible after pitch-count violation That '92 season ended at semistate, one game shy of the state championship game. — Joseph Spears, Indianapolis Star, "HS baseball: Scecina's first semistate trip in 26 years hasn't been easy — or without drama," 6 June 2018 One forfeit, March 6 at Taravella, was a 4-2 loss anyway. — David Furones, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Nationally ranked Calvary Christian baseball team forfeits 12 games," 11 Apr. 2018 Some felt the rules violation would result in a Scecina forfeit, but the team was spared. — Zach Horrall, Indianapolis Star, "HS baseball: After pitch-count violation, Scecina's coach sidelines himself in semistate loss," 9 June 2018 Temple College is in the World Series for the third time, and would not even be here if not for a double forfeit in the regional title game. — Richard Rosenblatt, New York Times, "A Baseball Binge With Small-Town Charm," 1 June 2018 Recurrent clues appear—a knife; a game of forfeits; a hat seen bobbing along on the far side of a wall. — Dan Hofstadter, WSJ, "Longing, Violence and Social Rank," 25 May 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The Ravens were slapped by the NFL (again) last week, forfeiting the final two days of organized team activity practices for apparently having a bit too much contact in drills. — Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY, "Ravens bound to feel the heat of spotlight amid franchise's unrest," 12 June 2018 Trip must be taken from August 21, 2018 to August 25, 2018, and Winner and Travel Companion must participate in the ceremony on August 23, 2018, or Grand Prize will be forfeited. — CNN, "OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS," 12 June 2018 On Tuesday, the Brewers made the following picks: Round 3 No pick (forfeited it for signing free agent OF Lorenzo Cain). — Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers select LHP Aaron Ashby in Round 4 of MLB draft," 5 June 2018 Neumann-Goretti was already awarded the Class 2A crown after Masterman forfeited. — Mike Owens, Philly.com, "Thursday's Pa. roundup: Kylie Kenney pitches Central Bucks South to District 1 Class 6A softball title," 31 May 2018 In the top of the first inning of Wednesday afternoon's game, the Mets batted out of order and forfeited a runner in scoring position. — Joe Kay, Houston Chronicle, "Mets bat out of order, Reds rally for win in 10th," 9 May 2018 Those teams now must forfeit their pick from those same rounds in next year’s spring draft. — Bob Mcmanaman, azcentral, "Two players get selected in NFL supplemental draft, but Cardinals don't get involved," 11 July 2018 Zero owners out of 30 would forfeit 12 home dates per season and their corresponding revenue. — Marc Stein, New York Times, "Finally Free From LeBron’s Reign, the N.B.A. East Has No Reason to Change," 5 July 2018 Prosecutors are asking a judge to send him to prison for 55 years and order him to forfeit $192 million. — Kate Brumback, Fox News, "Alleged top Mexican drug cartel leader to be sentenced," 11 June 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
That cut Lansdowne’s 6-0 lead, that came on a forfeit win at 120, in half. — Craig Clary, baltimoresun.com, "Unbeaten Lansdowne wrestling squad wins final two matches and defeats Franklin," 25 Jan. 2018 Bretli Reyna scored the first pin of the night for South Dade at 120 pounds with Tyler Orta (126) and Joshua Swan (138) winning matches sandwiching a forfeit win for Fleming Island’s Jaquan English. — Brant Parsons, OrlandoSentinel.com, "South Dade takes home inaugural state duals title in 3A," 21 Jan. 2018 The forfeit win will boost Cedar Creek’s playoff chances. — Phil Anastasia, Philly.com, "Breaking: Delsea football forfeits win over Cedar Creek," 21 Sep. 2017 Catonsville’s other victories were a forfeit win by Chase Ritter (113) and a 3-2 decision by sophomore Ewan Hemmis (120) over Desean Hunter. — Craig Clary, baltimoresun.com, "Lansdowne wrestling pins down Southwestern Battle for second straight year," 12 Dec. 2017 Notable: East River made a major leap this week from ninth to sixth after picking up a forfeit win over Timber Creek and beating St. Cloud, which added three points to its playoff average. — J.c. Carnahan, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Final football playoff projections pave way for Sunday announcement show," 1 Nov. 2017 Arkansas claims a forfeit victory in a game that Ole Miss won on the field 13-7 in 1914. — Mark Inabinett, AL.com, "Arkansas at Ole Miss by the numbers: Rebels get new QB again," 28 Oct. 2017 Every win last season was taken away and became a forfeit loss because the team used ineligible players. — Eric Sondheimer, latimes.com, "Los Angeles might be winless, but Jeffrey Martinez still plays for love of the game," 8 Oct. 2017 Cedar Creek is 2-1 on the field, getting a forfeit win over No. — Phil Anastasia, Philly.com, "South Jersey football: Games to watch this weekend," 26 Sep. 2017These 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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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
verbEnglish 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
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of forfeit (Entry 3 of 3)
: 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
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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
nounKids Definition of forfeit (Entry 2 of 2)
: something or the right to something lost as punishment for a fault, error, or crime
forfeit
noun
\
Legal Definition of forfeit
(Entry 1 of 3)
: something forfeited or subject to being forfeited
forfeit
transitive verbLegal 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)
forfeit
adjectiveLegal Definition of forfeit (Entry 3 of 3)
: forfeited or subject to forfeiture
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