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 • Mar. 17, 2026

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 • Mar. 9, 2026

Monthly payments are lower than under garnishment, and loans can eventually be forgiven.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

But that will likely change starting in 2026, given the Education Department’s announcement that it’s restarting wage garnishment.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 30, 2025

Change the map into a steaming roast turkey by adding the lines to form the wing, the "drumstick," the garnishment and the plate.

From Crayon and Character: Truth Made Clear Through Eye and Ear Or, Ten-Minute Talks with Colored Chalks by Griswold, B. J. (Bert Joseph)