lien

¹

[ leen, lee-uhn ]

noun

1. Law. the legal claim of one person upon the property of another person to secure the payment of a debt or the satisfaction of an obligation.

lien

²

[ lahy-uhn, -en ]

noun

, Anatomy.

1. the spleen.

lien

/ ˈliːən; liːn /

noun

1. law a right to retain possession of another's property pending discharge of a debt

lien

1. A claim or right given to a creditor to secure payment of a debt , usually by sale of the debtor's property.

Other Words From

• liena·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lien¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin ligāmen “tie, bandage,” from ligā(re) “to tie” + -men, noun suffix of result; ligament ( def )

Origin of lien²

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin liēn; spleen

Word History and Origins

Origin of lien¹

C16: via Old French from Latin ligāmen bond, from ligāre to bind

Example Sentences

Michael O’Kelly, city manager for Bell Gardens, said the amount remains outstanding and that a lien on her home had been placed.

From Los Angeles Times

This is for older homeowners who want to leverage the value of their home without having to sell it—the mortgage company takes a lien and pays out the borrower in regular installments.

From Salon

This is for older homeowners who want to leverage the value of their home without having to sell it — the mortgage company takes a lien and pays out the borrower in regular installments.

From Salon

But the city did go after the property owner of the Hollywood Hills home, issuing a lien against the property and fencing it off in September after news of the tagging had gained attention.

From Los Angeles Times

Last year, the Coachella Valley Water District placed a lien for $1,715.23 for “delinquent charges, penalty and interest” on the Palm Desert house.

From Los Angeles Times