repossess

[ ree-puh-zes ]

verb (used with object)

1. to regain ownership of; to take back, especially for failure to make due payment:

   After the first few payments, the buyer defaulted on the contract, and we were forced to repossess the piano.

2. to give (someone) ownership of something again; restore something to (used with of ):

   In 1814, a coalition of European powers defeated Napoleon and repossessed the ousted Bourbons of their throne.

repossess

/ ˌriːpəˈzɛʃən; ˌriːpəˈzɛs /

verb

1. to take back possession of (property), esp for nonpayment of money due under a hire-purchase agreement
2. to restore ownership of (something) to someone

Derived Forms

• repossession, noun
• ˌreposˈsessor, noun

Other Words From

• re·pos·sess·a·ble adjective
• re·pos·ses·sion [ree-p, uh, -, zesh, -, uh, n], noun
• re·pos·ses·sor noun
• un·re·pos·sessed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of repossess¹

First recorded in 1485–95; re- + possess

Example Sentences

She was served a no-fault eviction, which allows landlords to repossess their properties even if there has been no problem with the tenant.

From BBC

Some people may decide to sell their home and - in extreme circumstances - the lender could take court action to repossess it.

From BBC

Hankey has said the goal is to stop loans from going bad, not repossess vehicles, which is costly.

From Los Angeles Times

A freeholder can apply to repossess a property if there is a breach of the lease, for example not paying the ground rent or service charge.

From BBC

The association said its members "never want to use forfeiture to repossess a property, and hardly ever do".

From BBC

Related Words

• retake