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 of forfeiture

• penalty
• fine
• damages

Examples of forfeiture in a Sentence

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

The men were ordered to pay a total of $4,571,800 in restitution to the Michigan Department of Transportation, along with forfeitures totaling $4,073,200, the district attorney's office said. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025

That way, nothing of value will have been lost, the owners will get richer still, and Big Tech may continue to collect on the (somewhat) voluntary forfeiture of whatever’s left of our privacy. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 Nov. 2025

The steepest forfeiture penalty went to Han, now 50, who was ordered to repay $500,000. —Rob Kuznia, CNN Money, 18 Nov. 2025

Korf and Laber have asked a federal judge in Florida’s Southern District to dismiss the DOJ’s forfeiture case, citing the Ukrainian judgments. —Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for forfeiture

• nonforfeiture

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