Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
distraint
noun
/dɪˈstreɪnt/
Definition
The act of taking someone’s property to satisfy a legal obligation, often a debt.
Examples
- The landlord sought distraint on the tenant’s possessions after the rent was unpaid.
- She was unaware that distraint could be used to recover her overdue taxes.
- In some states, distraint laws allow for the seizure of goods without a court order.
Meaning
Distraint refers to the legal process whereby a creditor can seize a debtor’s property to enforce payment of a debt.
Synonyms
- Seizure
- Forfeiture
- Confiscation
- Attachment
