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Synonyms

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.

See Examples For:

Mike Shell, chief investment officer of Shell Capital, said that he has seen data furnished by his prime brokers that suggest this latest momentum liquidation is closer to its end than its beginning.

From MarketWatch Jul. 31, 2026

The Onion is seeking a license to operate Infowars as a parody site while right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ company faces liquidation for owing Sandy Hook families over $1 billion in defamation damages.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 14, 2026

Two days later Linus received the liquidation email sent to all customers.

From BBC Jul. 11, 2026

Coughlans Bakery – which operates a chain of shops across Kent, Surrey, West Sussex and south London – announced it had ceased trading on Tuesday after it went into voluntary liquidation.

From BBC Jul. 1, 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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