foreclose

verb

fore·​close (ˌ)fȯr-ˈklōz How to pronounce foreclose (audio)
foreclosed; foreclosing; forecloses

transitive verb

1
: to shut out : preclude
2
: to hold exclusively
3
: to deal with or close in advance
4
: to subject to foreclosure proceedings

intransitive verb

: to foreclose a mortgage

Examples of foreclose in a Sentence

They've been unable to make their mortgage payments, and the bank has threatened to foreclose. The bank has threatened to foreclose their mortgage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Inspired by a trip to South Africa in which Kendrick visited Nelson Mandela’s cell, the cautiously optimistic track extols the work of perseverance, citing previous Black struggles as evidence that the future is not foreclosed. Stephen Kearse, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025 Instead, Parkway 43 and Sky Ridge owners sued Galena and were granted a temporary injunction, preventing the properties from being foreclosed until the lawsuit is settled. Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 29 Jan. 2025 As advised by Kessler, those teams refused to sign charter agreements because of (among other reasons) contractual language that would have foreclosed the chance to sue NASCAR on antitrust grounds. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Jan. 2025 But that all changed a few years ago when St. Petersburg foreclosed over unpaid property liens stemming from the house demolition and maintenance. Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for foreclose 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French forclos, past participle of forclore, forsclore, from fors outside (from Latin foris) + clore to close — more at forum

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreclose was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near foreclose

Cite this Entry

“Foreclose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreclose. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

foreclose

verb
fore·​close (ˈ)fōr-ˈklōz How to pronounce foreclose (audio)
(ˈ)fȯr-
: to take legal measures to end a mortgage and take possession of the mortgaged property because the conditions of the mortgage have not been met
foreclosure
-ˈklō-zhər
noun

Legal Definition

foreclose

verb
fore·​close fōr-ˈklōz How to pronounce foreclose (audio)

transitive verb

: to subject to foreclosure proceedings

intransitive verb

: to foreclose a mortgage or other security interest compare repossess, seize sense 2
Etymology

Anglo-French forclos, past participle of foreclore to preclude, prevent, from fors outside + clore to close

More from Merriam-Webster on foreclose

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