forfeiture
Americannoun
-
something forfeited
-
the act of forfeiting or paying a penalty
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of forfeiture
1300–50; Middle English forfeiture, forfeture < Old French. See forfeit, -ure
Explanation
Forfeiture is having to give something up, usually as a punishment. If kindergartners yell and run around instead of sitting quietly at their desks, it might result in a forfeiture of recess that day. When you forfeit something, you lose or relinquish it as a penalty for doing something wrong. An instance of this happening is a forfeiture, and you can describe the thing you have to sacrifice as a forfeiture too. In law, a forfeiture is the loss of rights or goods due to not fulfilling some obligation. For example, failing to make car payments to a bank can result in the forfeiture of your car.
Vocabulary lists containing forfeiture
The Constitution of the United States
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Stamp Act (1765)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Merchant of Venice
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The indictment seeks forfeiture, or the loss of property or money, from Cloth in the amount of at least $12.5 million for alleged film and gaming projects.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
Most forfeiture targets have none of those advantages, which is why the overwhelming majority of forfeitures are never contested at all.
From Slate ● Jul. 28, 2026
He also agreed to the forfeiture of $15 billion of ill-gotten-gains as part of the plea deal, the Department of Justice said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
A federal judge on Monday sentenced China critic and tycoon Guo Wengui to 30 years in prison for racketeering and fraud, and ordered forfeiture of $889 million associated with his activities.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026
If the forfeiture had been successful, it would have netted the law enforcement agencies about $5 million in assets.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Most forfeiture targets have none of those advantages, which is why the overwhelming majority of forfeitures are never contested at all.
From Slate ● Jul. 28, 2026
Judge Jay Rakoff also sentenced Rinsch to three years of supervised release, $11m in forfeitures, and a $700 fine.
From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026
Returning money, properties and investments linked to 1MDB would help end proceedings against Low related to asset forfeitures, the people said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026
The family and company are due to pay more than $8 billion in fines, forfeitures and penalties.
From Barron's ● Apr. 29, 2026
At the time the new rules were adopted, the law governing civil forfeiture was so heavily weighted in favor of the government that fully 80 percent of forfeitures went uncontested.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
