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.
The mortgage on tyranny comes due after all the papers are signed—and by then, the property has already been foreclosed. John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025 Deen decided to keep in effect until at least May 1 a temporary restraining order that blocks efforts by a lender to foreclose on the hotel’s loan, court records show. George Avalos, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025 Others include: — 3100 North First St. was foreclosed and seized by its lender at a value of $19 million in May 2024. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025 While the Long Island and northern suburbs were once a safety valve for city workers looking for affordable housing, the price and availability of affordable units now forecloses that option. Kathryn Wylde, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!