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 firm said in a statement that all medical providers had legitimate liens that entitled them to money from the client’s settlement, including McClelland’s.

From Los Angeles Times

This fall, another Delaware-registered company took out a lien on all of Slater’s attorney fees from the county cases, according to an Oct.

From Los Angeles Times

Your attorney will also need to work with you through the closing process, which includes transferring the deed and recording the lien with the county.

From MarketWatch

As Bell was excelling at Christian Brothers, Barnes stopped making car and mortgage payments, according to liens on her home and court filings.

From The Wall Street Journal

“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