garnishment

noun

gar·​nish·​ment ˈgär-nish-mənt 

1

: ornament, garnish

2

: a legal summons or warning concerning the attachment of property to satisfy a debt

3

: a stoppage of a specified sum from wages to satisfy a creditor or a legal obligation (such as child support)

Synonyms of garnishment

• ornament
• ornamentation
• decoration
• garnish

Examples of garnishment in a Sentence

a high-end caterer whose dishes feature an array of over-the-top garnishments

Recent Examples on the Web

The consequences for failing to meet your tax obligations can range from late fees and collection notices to wage garnishment and property liens. —John Csiszar, CNBC, 22 May 2026

Basic questions include geography, employee types, pay frequencies, overtime rules, tips, commissions, bonuses, garnishments, deductions, benefits, PTO, job costing, and general ledger integration. —Jen L’estrange, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026

So, how much of your retirement income can a creditor actually take via a garnishment? —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 May 2026

For most Americans, fines, wage garnishment or worse are too big a risk to take. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

(sense 1) garnish entry 1 + -ment; (senses 2 & 3) borrowed from Anglo-French garnissement "warning, notification, notification concerning the attachment of property to satisfy a debt," from garniss-, stem of garnir "to give notice, warn, give legal summons" + -ment -ment — more at garnish entry 1

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

garnishment

noun

gar·​nish·​ment ˈgär-nish-mənt 

: a remedial device used by a creditor to have property of the debtor or money owed to the debtor that is in the possession of a third party attached to pay the debt to the creditor

specifically : attachment of the debtor's wages to satisfy a judgment compare wage assignment at assignment