garnishee

[ gahr-ni-shee ]

verb (used with object)

, gar·nish·eed, gar·nish·ee·ing.

1. to attach (money or property) by garnishment.
2. to serve (a person) with a garnishment.

noun

1. a person served with a garnishment.

garnishee

/ ˌɡɑːnɪˈʃiː /

noun

1. a person upon whom a garnishment has been served

verb

1. to attach (a debt or other property) by garnishment
2. to serve (a person) with a garnishment

Word History and Origins

Origin of garnishee¹

First recorded in 1620–30; garnish + -ee

Example Sentences

They included 847 whose credit reports had been dinged by the agency and 1,808 whose paychecks had been garnisheed or whose tax refunds had been withheld.

From Los Angeles Times

If employees continually refuse to pay, their wages can be garnisheed.

From Washington Post

As a result, an estimated 95 percent of debt collection lawsuits result in default judgments against borrowers, an automatic victory for the debt buyers that enables them to garnishee consumers’ wages or freeze bank accounts.

From New York Times

The candidate’s husband, Gail, won a judgment against the painter and had his property garnisheed when he was unable to pay the sum.

From Los Angeles Times

The agency can't put people in jail or garnishee wages to get the money.

From Seattle Times