Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
garnishment
noun
ˈɡɑːrnɪʃmənt
Definition
A legal procedure through which a portion of a person’s earnings or assets is withheld for the payment of a debt or obligation.
Examples
- The court authorized a garnishment of his wages to pay off the student loan.
- She received a notice of garnishment from her bank regarding the unpaid debt.
- After missing several payments, his salary was subject to garnishment.
Meaning
Garnishment typically occurs when a creditor seeks to collect a debt by requiring a third party, often an employer, to withhold money from the debtor’s wages or funds.
Synonyms
- withholding
- deduction
- seizure
