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liquidation

American  
[lik-wi-dey-shuhn] / ˌlɪk wɪˈdeɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. the process of realizing upon assets and of discharging liabilities in concluding the affairs of a business, estate, etc.

  2. the process of converting securities or commodities into cash.

  3. the state of being liquidated.

    an estate in liquidation.


liquidation British  
/ ˌlɪkwɪˈdeɪʃən /

noun

    1. the process of terminating the affairs of a business firm, etc, by realizing its assets to discharge its liabilities

    2. the state of a business firm, etc, having its affairs so terminated (esp in the phrase to go into liquidation )

  1. destruction; elimination

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

liquidation Cultural  
  1. The conversion of the assets of a firm into cash, often just before the firm goes out of business.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of liquidation

First recorded in 1565–75; liquidate + -ion

Vocabulary lists containing liquidation

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.

Of the 1,965 remaining, 95 are in the process of administration, insolvency or liquidation.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

The liquidation process remains complex despite Friday’s ruling.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

Spirit Airlines has gone out of business—and its liquidation was greeted in Washington and on Wall Street with a familiar mix of shock and resignation.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

"I received no share of the remaining money after the liquidation," Hun To said.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

On our way there, we learned that the underground resistance of the camp had made the decision not to abandon the Jews and to prevent their liquidation.

From "Night" by Elie Wiesel

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