repossess

verb

re·​pos·​sess ˌrē-pə-ˈzes How to pronounce repossess (audio)
 also  -ˈses
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
ˌrē-pə-ˈze-shən How to pronounce repossess (audio)
 also  -ˈse-
noun
repossessor
ˌrē-pə-ˈze-sər How to pronounce repossess (audio)
 also  -ˈse-
noun

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 on the Web More specialized data includes over the last two years who checked into a homeless shelter or a food bank, had a car repossessed, or had a home foreclosed. Emotivo Health, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 Regulatory records show many customers paid the equivalent of the full loan or more, only to see their cars repossessed. Ryan Gabrielson, ProPublica, 12 Sep. 2024 While high-loan costs made today won’t hit the economy for several years, experts say, vehicles bought during the pandemic by customers with federal stimulus cash are increasingly being repossessed. Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 21 Sep. 2024 Many companies would be preparing to count those loans as losses, send them to a collection agency and repossess the cars. Ryan Gabrielson, ProPublica, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for repossess 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'repossess.' 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

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of repossess was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near repossess

Cite this Entry

“Repossess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repossess. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

repossess

verb
re·​pos·​sess ˌrē-pə-ˈzes How to pronounce repossess (audio)
: to regain or retake possession of
repossession noun

Legal Definition

repossess

transitive verb
re·​pos·​sess ˌrē-pə-ˈzes How to pronounce repossess (audio)
: 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 sense 2
repossessor noun

More from Merriam-Webster on repossess

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