repossess

verb re·pos·sess \ ˌrē-pə-ˈzes also -ˈses \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Examples: repossess in a Sentence

Definition of repossess

repossessed; repossessing; repossesses

transitive verb

1 a : to regain possession of

b : to take possession of (something bought) from a buyer in default of the payment of installments due

2 : to restore to possession

—

repossession

play \ˌrē-pə-ˈze-shən also -ˈse-\ noun

—

repossessor

play \ˌrē-pə-ˈze-sər also -ˈse-\ noun

See repossess defined for English-language learners

See repossess defined for kids

Examples of repossess in a Sentence

The bank repossessed her truck.
if you don't pay off the loan, the bank will come and repossess your car

Recent Examples of repossess from the Web

The core of the commercial development was repossessed by the lender, iStar Financial, which chose to retain it, waiting out the financial crisis.

— jen fifield, azcentral, "GoDaddy founder, who 'doesn't do anything small,' buys Westgate district in Glendale," 12 June 2018
First came the Broward County Sheriff’s Office to repossess his police cruiser and his badge.

— eli saslow, kansascity, "Stoneman Douglas resource officer, called ‘coward’ and ‘blight,’ haunted by massacre," 4 June 2018
Given the importance of being able to repossess the collateral for secured loans, NPL investors have been taken aback by a proposal to prevent any action against a debtor without the involvement of a court.

— The Economist, "Bad loans remain a concern in Italy and across southern Europe," 26 May 2018
Last year, the company repossessed more than 25,500 vehicles — including tractor trailers and riding lawn mowers.

— todd c. frankel, chicagotribune.com, "Riding with the repo man: as auto loan defaults rise, car repossessions skyrocket," 16 May 2018
The Bundys saw that the feds had finally decided to repossess their cows after 20 years of refusing to pay their grazing fees.

— leah sottile, Longreads, "Bundyville Chapter One: A War in the Desert," 15 May 2018
In thousands of cases, customers who could not afford the combined auto loan and extra insurance payment fell behind on their payments and had their cars repossessed.

— Washington Post, "Wells Fargo to pay $1B for mortgage, auto lending abuses," 20 Apr. 2018
In thousands of cases, customers who could not afford the combined auto-loan and extra insurance payment fell behind on their payments and had their cars repossessed.

— ken sweet, chicagotribune.com, "Wells Fargo to be fined $1B as early as Friday: reports," 19 Apr. 2018
The Obama presidency began with credit shrinking, factories closing and homes being repossessed.

— The Economist, "The president’s takeover of his party is near complete," 19 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'repossess.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of repossess

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

repossess Synonyms

REPOSSESS Defined for English Language Learners

repossess

verb

Definition of repossess for English Language Learners

: to take (something) back from a buyer because payments are not being made

Law Dictionary

repossess

transitive verb re·pos·sess \ ˌrē-pə-ˈzes \

legal Definition of repossess

: to regain possession of; especially : to take possession of again by judicial process or self-help upon default of the payment of installments due — compare foreclose, seize 2

—