repossess

American

[ree-puh-zes] / ˌri pəˈzɛs /

verb (used with object)

to regain ownership of; to take back, especially for failure to make due payment.

After the first few payments, the buyer defaulted on the contract, and we were forced to repossess the piano.
to give (someone) ownership of something again; restore something to (used withof ).

In 1814, a coalition of European powers defeated Napoleon and repossessed the ousted Bourbons of their throne.

repossess British

/ ˌriːpəˈzɛʃən, ˌriːpəˈzɛs /

verb

to take back possession of (property), esp for nonpayment of money due under a hire-purchase agreement
to restore ownership of (something) to someone

"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

Other Word Forms

repossessable adjective
repossession noun
repossessor noun
unrepossessed adjective

Etymology

Origin of repossess

First recorded in 1485–95; re- + possess

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.

Allowing the lender to repossess the vehicle is one option.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 29, 2025

Hankey has said the goal is to stop loans from going bad, not repossess vehicles, which is costly.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2024

A freeholder can apply to repossess a property if there is a breach of the lease, for example not paying the ground rent or service charge.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2024

The association said its members "never want to use forfeiture to repossess a property, and hardly ever do".

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2024

If you got a note on your car, they gone repossess it.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023