repossess

verb

re·​pos·​sess ˌrē-pə-ˈzes 

 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 

 also  -ˈse-

noun

repossessor

ˌrē-pə-ˈze-sər 

 also  -ˈse-

noun

Synonyms

• get back
• re-collect
• reacquire
• recapture
• reclaim
• recoup
• recover
• regain
• retake
• retrieve

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

The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed a rule that would prohibit lenders from repossessing medical devices such as wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs if people can't repay their loans. —Michelle Andrews | Kff Health News, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025

Eminem and his then-wife were living in Nelson's house, which was going to be repossessed, prompting her to hire a lawyer. —Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024

After struggling with payments, one of their cars was recently repossessed in the middle of the night, leaving Gomez without transportation most days. —Colby Gordon, Austin American-Statesman, 24 Nov. 2024

The woman’s life savings were nearly depleted, leading to her declaring bankruptcy and her home being repossessed. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

repossess

verb

re·​pos·​sess ˌrē-pə-ˈzes 

: to regain or retake possession of

repossession

-ˈzesh-ən 

noun

Legal Definition

repossess

transitive verb

re·​pos·​sess ˌrē-pə-ˈzes 

: 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

-ˈze-sər 

noun