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foreclose
[ fawr-klohz, fohr- ]
/ fɔrˈkloʊz, foʊr- /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used with object), fore·closed, fore·clos·ing.
Law.
- to deprive (a mortgagor or pledgor) of the right to redeem his or her property, especially on failure to make payment on a mortgage when due, ownership of property then passing to the mortgagee.
- to take away the right to redeem (a mortgage or pledge).
to shut out; exclude; bar.
to hinder or prevent, as from doing something.
to establish an exclusive claim to.
to close, settle, or answer beforehand.
verb (used without object), fore·closed, fore·clos·ing.
to foreclose a mortgage or pledge.
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Origin of foreclose
1250–1300; Middle English foreclosen<Old French forclos, past participle of forclore to exclude, equivalent to for- out + clore to shut (<Latin claudere)
OTHER WORDS FROM foreclose
fore·clos·a·ble, adjectivenon·fore·clos·ing, adjectiveWords nearby foreclose
forecastle head, fore-check, forechoir, forecited, fore clipping, foreclose, foreclosure, foreconscious, forecourse, forecourt, foredate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use foreclose in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for foreclose
foreclose
/ (fɔːˈkləʊz) /
verb
law to deprive (a mortgagor, etc) of the right to redeem (a mortgage or pledge)
(tr) to shut out; bar
(tr) to prevent or hinder
(tr) to answer or settle (an obligation, promise, etc) in advance
(tr) to make an exclusive claim to
Derived forms of foreclose
foreclosable, adjectiveforeclosure (fɔːˈkləʊʒə), nounWord Origin for foreclose
C15: from Old French forclore, from for- out + clore to close, from Latin claudere
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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