foreclose

verb

fore·​close (ˌ)fȯr-ˈklōz How to pronounce foreclose (audio)
foreclosed; foreclosing; forecloses

transitive verb

1
: to shut out : preclude
2
: to hold exclusively
3
: to deal with or close in advance
4
: to subject to foreclosure proceedings

intransitive verb

: to foreclose a mortgage

Examples of foreclose in a Sentence

They've been unable to make their mortgage payments, and the bank has threatened to foreclose. The bank has threatened to foreclose their mortgage.
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.
Newsom’s executive order has foreclosed that option in Los Angeles. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025 Reporting by The Charlotte Observer found in 2023 HOAs filed to foreclose on over 5,500 properties since 2018. Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 13 Jan. 2025 Thus, Boyle does not foreclose reasonable reliance in unusual situations where a taxpayer consults a tax professional just to discern the deadline. Andy Weiner, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 Homeowners and condo associations foreclosing against their owner members have been making headlines in Florida and across the country. Michael L. Hyman, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for foreclose 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French forclos, past participle of forclore, forsclore, from fors outside (from Latin foris) + clore to close — more at forum

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreclose was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near foreclose

Cite this Entry

“Foreclose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreclose. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

foreclose

verb
fore·​close (ˈ)fōr-ˈklōz How to pronounce foreclose (audio)
(ˈ)fȯr-
: to take legal measures to end a mortgage and take possession of the mortgaged property because the conditions of the mortgage have not been met
foreclosure
-ˈklō-zhər
noun

Legal Definition

foreclose

verb
fore·​close fōr-ˈklōz How to pronounce foreclose (audio)

transitive verb

: to subject to foreclosure proceedings

intransitive verb

: to foreclose a mortgage or other security interest compare repossess, seize sense 2
Etymology

Anglo-French forclos, past participle of foreclore to preclude, prevent, from fors outside + clore to close

More from Merriam-Webster on foreclose

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