forfeiture

noun

for·​fei·​ture ˈfȯr-fə-ˌchu̇r 

-chər,

-ˌt(y)u̇r

1

: the act of forfeiting : the loss of property or money because of a breach of a legal obligation

assets subject to forfeiture

2

: something (such as money or property) that is forfeited : penalty

Synonyms

• damages
• fine
• forfeit
• mulct
• penalty

Example Sentences

the forfeiture for early withdrawal of the investment savings will be an amount equal to 10 percent of the investment

Recent Examples on the Web

Officials said Donaldson also faces judgments for restitution and forfeiture of the property attained through the fraud. —The Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2022

Denying criminal forfeiture is a way to dispute a claim by prosecutors that a defendant is not entitled to retain certain property. —Annie Berman, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Feb. 2023

The couple – along with their company, Bowmar Bowhunting – were placed on three years probation and ordered to pay more than $130,000 in fines, restitution and forfeiture. —Andy Rose, CNN, 19 Jan. 2023

Flores was sentenced to four months’ confinement, forfeiture of $700 pay per month for a four month period, and reduction in rank to E-2. —Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2022

Prosecutors also asked for three years of probation, nearly $11 million in restitution to the IRS, and forfeiture of about $8.7 million. —Mark Pratt, ajc, 29 Dec. 2022

Assignment of benefits is legal, thanks to a concept known as freedom of contract, which says two parties may make a private agreement, including the forfeiture of certain rights, and the government may not interfere. —Jim Probasco, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2022

The penalty includes a $1 million fine and forfeiture of $250,000, plus interest, that Kardashian was paid to make the post about Ethereum Max tokens. —Harold Maass, The Week, 4 Oct. 2022

But the sixth — to seize the store’s business equipment for forfeiture — was highly unusual. —Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

forfeiture

noun

for·​fei·​ture ˈfȯr-fə-ˌchu̇(ə)r 

-chər

1

: the act of forfeiting

2

: something forfeited : penalty

Legal Definition

forfeiture

noun

for·​fei·​ture ˈfȯr-fə-ˌchu̇r 

1

: the loss of a right, money, or especially property because of one's criminal act, default, or failure or neglect to perform a duty compare waiver

2

: something (as money or property) that is forfeited as a penalty