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
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Mamdani has proposed using such fines as a vehicle to bring distressed rental properties under city stewardship, by aggressively pursuing liens on delinquent landlords and buying up their portfolios through foreclosure auctions.
—
ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Eventually, the original lender for the property lost patience with the prior owners and seized the current building at the site through a speedy foreclosure.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
Landin said he’s spoken to several sellers who are considering short-sale opportunities or the possibility of foreclosures.
—Lily O'Neill, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Apr. 2026
Since then, more than 10,000 veterans have lost their homes through foreclosure sales, according to ICE Mortgage Technology, which tracks such data.
—Quil Lawrence, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foreclosure
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ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Eventually, the original lender for the property lost patience with the prior owners and seized the current building at the site through a speedy foreclosure.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
Landin said he’s spoken to several sellers who are considering short-sale opportunities or the possibility of foreclosures.
—Lily O'Neill, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Apr. 2026
Since then, more than 10,000 veterans have lost their homes through foreclosure sales, according to ICE Mortgage Technology, which tracks such data.
—Quil Lawrence, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foreclosure
Cite this Entry
“Foreclosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreclosure. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal 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
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