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.

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liquidation British  

/ ˌlɪkwɪˈdeɪʃən /

noun

1. 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 )

2. destruction; elimination

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liquidation Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• nonliquidation noun
• preliquidation noun
• reliquidation noun

Etymology

Origin of liquidation

First recorded in 1565–75; liquidate + -ion

Example Sentences

The legal document protects a company from creditors for a short period, initially 10 business days, to either find a buyer, find an administrator, or enter liquidation.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

The wipe-out in South Korean stocks is, Privorotsky points, essentially liquidation flows.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026

Warren Patterson, head of commodity strategy at ING, said gold’s pullback reflects both “renewed upward pressure on the dollar and bond yields” and “equity losses which triggered forced liquidation of metals to meet margin calls.”

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

The wipe-out in South Korean stocks is, Privorotsky points, essentially liquidation flows.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026

The place had already been picked clean before the liquidation.

From "Prisoner B-3087" by Alan Gratz

Related Words

• clearance
• destruction
• eradication
• expulsion
• removal
• withdrawal