freehold

noun

free·​hold ˈfrē-ˌhōld 

1

: a tenure of real property by which an estate in fee simple or fee tail or an estate for life is held

also : an estate held by such tenure compare fee sense 1

2

British : an estate held in fee simple

freehold adjective or adverb

freeholder

ˈfrē-ˌhōl-dər 

noun

Examples of freehold in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As The Athletic revealed last year, the club also have an agreement in principle with Nottingham City Council, their current landlords, to buy the freehold for the land that the stadium occupies. —Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 18 June 2025

Not long before, United’s benefactor had guaranteed a new mortgage for the acquisition of the freehold of the land upon which Old Trafford was built. —Michael Walker, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025

Ming Arcade is one of two rare freehold shopping malls sold in the vicinity of Orchard Road in 2022. —Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for freehold

• ahold
• behold
• billfold
• blindfold
• cajoled
• consoled
• controlled
• cotswold
• eightfold
• enfold
• enrolled
• extolled

Legal Definition

freehold

noun

free·​hold ˈfrē-ˌhōld 

: a tenure of real property the duration of which cannot be determined and by which an estate in fee simple or fee tail or for life is held

also : an estate held by such tenure compare leasehold

freehold adjective or adverb

Etymology

translation of Anglo-French frank tenement freehold estate