lien

noun
UK: /liːən/
US: /liːən/

  1. A legal right to keep someone's property until a debt is paid.

    1. The bank has a lien on the property until the loan is repaid.
    2. A mechanic can place a lien on your car if you don't pay for the repairs; the lien secures the payment.

  2. The right to take and hold or sell the property of a debtor as security or payment for a debt or duty.

    1. The contractor placed a lien on the house due to non-payment.
    2. Because of the unpaid taxes, the government asserted a tax lien against his assets.

Synonyms

claim encumbrance security charge
lien verb

  1. To create a legal claim on property as security for a debt or obligation.

    1. The bank can lien the house.
    2. The company threatened to lien our assets if we didn't pay quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "lien" in English means: A legal right to keep someone's property until a debt is paid., The right to take and hold or sell the property of a debtor as security or payment for a debt or duty..

The phonetic transcription of "lien" is /liːən/ in British English and /liːən/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "lien": claim, encumbrance, security, charge.

Example usage of "lien": "The bank has a lien on the property until the loan is repaid.". More examples on the page.