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foreclosure

American  
[fawr-kloh-zher, fohr-] / fɔrˈkloʊ ʒər, foʊr- /

noun

Law.
  1. the act of foreclosing a mortgage or pledge.


foreclosure Cultural  
  1. A proceeding in which the financer of a mortgage seeks to regain property because the borrower has defaulted on payments.


Other Word Forms

  • antiforeclosure noun
  • nonforeclosure noun

Etymology

Origin of foreclosure

First recorded in 1720–30; foreclose + -ure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The low number of sales was “continuing off this new housing crisis—not the foreclosure housing crisis—but the housing crisis of where people are unable to get into the housing market,” Yun said.

From Barron's

The low number of sales was “continuing off this new housing crisis—not the foreclosure housing crisis—but the housing crisis of where people are unable to get into the housing market,” Yun said.

From Barron's

Local authorities generally provide multiple notices and opportunities to resolve delinquent taxes before taking extreme measures such as foreclosure.

From MarketWatch

It also banned late fees, foreclosures and negative reports to credit bureaus.

From Los Angeles Times

Valeria added that she cannot afford to fall ill, fearing that she could "go into foreclosure" if saddled with hospital bills that would otherwise have gone to paying her mortgage.

From Barron's