foreclosure

noun

fore·​clo·​sure (ˌ)fȯr-ˈklō-zhər 

: an act or instance of foreclosing

specifically : a legal proceeding that bars or extinguishes a mortgagor's right of redeeming a mortgaged estate

Examples of foreclosure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most households lost home equity just from a neighbor’s foreclosure. —Mike Calhoun, Sun Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025

Even if mortgage delinquencies rise, lenders today are more likely to offer modifications or forbearance rather than push for foreclosure. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025

The then-attorney general chose the consumer protection lawyer in 2012 to monitor a multibillion-dollar legal settlement with major banks over home foreclosures. —George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025

The meltdown led to a crash in home prices and millions of foreclosures. —Samantha Delouya, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foreclosure

• nondisclosure
• postexposure
• closure
• crozier
• hosier
• mosher
• composure
• cynosure
• disclosure
• enclosure
• exposure
• inclosure

Legal Definition

foreclosure

noun

fore·​clos·​ure fōr-ˈklō-zhər 

1

: a legal proceeding that bars or extinguishes a mortgagor's equity of redemption in mortgaged real property see also deficiency judgment at judgment, redeem, right of redemption, statutory foreclosure, strict foreclosure sense 1

2

: the extinguishment (as under the provisions of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) of the rights of a debtor in personal property subject to a security interest by judicial proceedings and especially by judicial sale see also strict foreclosure sense 2