garnishment

American  

[gahr-nish-muhnt] / ˈgɑr nɪʃ mənt /

noun

1. Law.

   1. a warning, served on a third party to hold, subject to the court's direction, money or property belonging to a debtor who is being sued by a creditor.

   2. a summons to a third party to appear in litigation pending between a creditor and debtor.

2. adornment or decoration.

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garnishment British  

/ ˈɡɑːnɪʃmənt /

noun

1. the act of garnishing

2. decoration or embellishment; garnish

3. law

   1. a notice or warning

   2. obsolete a summons to court proceedings already in progress

   3. a notice warning a person holding money or property belonging to a debtor whose debt has been attached to hold such property until directed by the court to apply it

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Etymology

Origin of garnishment

First recorded in 1540–50; garnish + -ment

Example Sentences

“That garnishment actually pushed me below minimum wage. How was that legal?”

From Salon

After four months his drivers license will be suspended and personal property, like a car, could be repossessed, or even be subject to wage garnishment.

From MarketWatch

The department has since reversed course, delaying the garnishments.

From Barron's

“Actually there is a pause on that at the moment,” McMahon said in response to a question from a reporter about whether she was concerned wage garnishment would make struggling borrowers’ financial situation worse.

From MarketWatch

In addition, advocates and attorneys that work with borrowers say they have yet to see a large influx of borrowers subject to wage garnishment.

From MarketWatch