forfeit

1 of 3

noun

for·​feit ˈfȯr-fət How to pronounce forfeit (audio)
1
: something forfeited or subject to being forfeited (as for a crime, offense, or neglect of duty) : penalty
They were required to pay a forfeit.
2
: forfeiture especially of civil rights
3
a
: something deposited (as for making a mistake in a game) and then redeemed on payment of a fine
b
forfeits plural : a game in which forfeits are exacted

forfeit

2 of 3

verb

forfeited; forfeiting; forfeits

transitive verb

1
: to lose or lose the right to especially by some error, offense, or crime
2
: to subject to confiscation as a forfeit
also : abandon, give up
forfeitable adjective
forfeiter noun

forfeit

3 of 3

adjective

: forfeited or subject to forfeiture

Examples of forfeit in a Sentence

Noun the forfeit for each baseball player involved in the brawl was $5,000 Verb He forfeited his right to a trial by jury. They didn't have enough players, so they ended up having to forfeit.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Carson will end the regular season next week with a fourth forfeit against the Gauchos unless something changes. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024 Wyoming was scheduled to play host to the Spartans on Saturday, but that match has already been called a forfeit. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
Narbonne received the City Section Open Division’s No. 1 seed even though the Gauchos have not played since Sept. 27 because of a boycott by four Marine League coaches forfeiting their games. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024 Francis forfeited $5 million in April 2015, according to sentencing documents filed last month by his attorney. Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Narbonne will win the Marine League championship with four forfeit wins and probably be seeded No. 1 in the playoffs with an 8-2 record. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024 There could be two more forfeit victories coming and the Gauchos could enter the City Section Open Division playoffs as the No. 1 seed and having not played in five weeks. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for forfeit 

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Verb, and Adjective

Middle English forfait, from Anglo-French, from past participle of forfaire, forsfaire to commit a crime, forfeit, from fors outside (from Latin foris) + faire to do, from Latin facere — more at forum, do

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of forfeit was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near forfeit

Cite this Entry

“Forfeit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forfeit. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

forfeit

1 of 2 noun
for·​feit ˈfȯr-fət How to pronounce forfeit (audio)
: something forfeited : penalty, fine

forfeit

2 of 2 verb
: to lose or lose the right to as a punishment for an error, offense, or crime
forfeiter noun

Legal Definition

forfeit

1 of 3 noun
for·​feit ˈfȯr-fət How to pronounce forfeit (audio)
: something forfeited or subject to being forfeited

forfeit

2 of 3 transitive verb
1
: to lose or lose the right to by some default, failure, or neglect of obligation or duty or by some offense
shall forfeit to the United States…any proceeds which the person obtained, directly or indirectly, from racketeering activityU.S. Code
2
: to subject to forfeiture
it shall be placed in the custody of the Collector, who…shall cause a notice of the seizure and intention to forfeit and sell the sameMorgan v. United States, 107 F. Supp. 501 (1952)
forfeitability
ˌfȯr-fə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun
forfeitable adjective

forfeit

3 of 3 adjective
: forfeited or subject to forfeiture
Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French, from Middle French forfait, past participle of forfaire to commit a crime, from fors outside + faire to do

More from Merriam-Webster on forfeit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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