homestead law

noun

plural homestead laws
1
: a law protecting a homestead (see homestead entry 1 sense 1a) from seizure or sale while the owner is being held liable for a debt
For the owner of a $125,000 house that's a primary residence and protected by state homestead laws, the value will increase only 2.1 percent, and $50,000 in value will be tax-exempt.Brittany Wallman
2
: any of several legislative acts authorizing the sale or free provision of public lands in homesteads (see homestead entry 1 sense 2)
Our land laws for the entry of agricultural lands are now as follows: The original homestead law, with the requirements of residence and cultivation for five years, much more strictly enforced now than ever before.William Howard Taft

Examples of homestead law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For the owner of a $125,000 house that's a primary residence and protected by state homestead laws, the value will increase only 2.1 percent, and $50,000 in value will be tax-exempt. Brittany Wallman, Sun-Sentinel.com, 27 Sep. 2017 For the owner of a $260,000 house that's a primary residence and protected by state homestead laws, the value for tax purposes would increase only 2.1 percent, and $50,000 in value would be exempt from taxation. Brittany Wallman, Sun-Sentinel.com, 25 Sep. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'homestead law.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of homestead law was in 1841

Dictionary Entries Near homestead law

Cite this Entry

“Homestead law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homestead%20law. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

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