lien

¹ American  

[leen, lee-uhn] / lin, ˈli ən /

noun

1. Law.  the legal claim of one person upon the property of another person to secure the payment of a debt or the satisfaction of an obligation.

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lien ² American  

[lahy-uhn, -en] / ˈlaɪ ən, -ɛn /

noun

Anatomy.

1. the spleen.

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lien British  

/ ˈliːən, liːn /

noun

1. law a right to retain possession of another's property pending discharge of a debt

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lien Cultural  

1. A claim or right given to a creditor to secure payment of a debt, usually by sale of the debtor's property.

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Other Word Forms

• lienable adjective
• lienal adjective

Etymology

Origin of lien¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin ligāmen “tie, bandage,” from ligā(re) “to tie” + -men, noun suffix of result; ligament ( def. )

Origin of lien¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin liēn; spleen

Example Sentences

“The property’s current fair market value is appraised at $20 million, yielding approximately $6 million in equity beyond the lien and exemption,” the filing notes.

From MarketWatch

His house was encumbered with liens and he’d sold a “prop plane” that prosecutors cited when arguing he was a risk to abscond, Maitia said.

From Los Angeles Times

Owners could face liens if they don’t clear their properties, Bass said.

From Los Angeles Times

Answer: You mention “triggering the IRS” as if your deposit might set off an explosion of audit notices and tax liens.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2024, shortly after Love initiated her arbitration, Lea, who owns 65% of the jewelry company, also assigned a lien on all of the company’s assets to The Bathing Club.

From Los Angeles Times