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

Porter is an attorney who developed a specialty in foreclosures. —Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026

The action is the last step in the nonjudicial foreclosure process, said Gordon Gerson, a commercial real estate lawyer whose firm, Gerson Law, represents lenders in foreclosure and bankruptcy proceedings. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026

The foreclosure lawsuit was brewing around the same time. —Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026

The streamer’s interest in the lot, which went into foreclosure earlier this year, was first reported on X on Sunday by Michael Trujillo, a political campaign consultant. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026

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