forfeit

1 of 3

noun

for·​feit ˈfȯr-fət How to pronounce forfeit (audio)
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 adjective
forfeiter noun

forfeit

3 of 3

adjective

: forfeited or subject to 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Kern High School District (KHSD) trustee Derek Tisinger defended the passage of a resolution opposing the inclusion of transgender athletes in girls’ sports, citing Title IX and a volleyball forfeit. Staff, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025 Jurupa Valley previously saw three forfeits in one weekend at the Freeway Games tournament, as Aquinas High School, San Dimas High School, and Yucaipa High School all refused to play Jurupa Valley. MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
That creates an opportunity for an earlier sale of stock (the previous minimum holding period was five years) without forfeiting all tax benefits. Beth Braverman, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025 The board urges the alliance to request the necessary funding to support improved transportation within IPS boundaries and asks that all schools participate in a centralized system or forfeit a portion of their operations funding to support this centralized service. Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Slusser's lawsuits brought national attention to the program last year, as the team saw multiple opponents forfeit while her and Fleming were pitted as opposing figures in a major American culture war flashpoint. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for forfeit

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of forfeit was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forfeit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forfeit. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

forfeit

1 of 2 noun
for·​feit ˈfȯr-fət How to pronounce forfeit (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce forfeit (audio)
: 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 activityU.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 sameMorgan 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

More from Merriam-Webster on forfeit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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