repossess

verb

re·​pos·​sess ˌrē-pə-ˈzes How to pronounce repossess (audio)
 also  -ˈses
repossessed; repossessing; repossesses

transitive verb

1
a
: to regain possession of
b
: to take possession of (something bought) from a buyer in default of the payment of installments due
2
: to restore to possession
repossession
ˌrē-pə-ˈze-shən How to pronounce repossess (audio)
 also  -ˈse-
noun
repossessor
ˌrē-pə-ˈze-sər How to pronounce repossess (audio)
 also  -ˈse-
noun

Examples of repossess in a Sentence

The bank repossessed her truck. if you don't pay off the loan, the bank will come and repossess your car
Recent Examples on the Web Cox Automotive also estimates 1.5 million vehicles will be repossessed this year, up from 1.2 million last year, although that’s still below pre-pandemic levels. The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024 His car was repossessed and his wages were garnished to pay student loan debt. Emily Opilo, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2024 The mansion was repossessed by the bank, which sold it to the Rebbe’s father-in-law, a rabbi who had just fled the Nazis in Poland and was looking for a headquarters for the Lubavitchers. Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2024 Three Decatur, Alabama, police officers have been fired and a fourth has been suspended following the fatal shooting of a man as his truck was being repossessed in September, the city’s mayor said Thursday. Phil Helsel, NBC News, 8 Dec. 2023 Police fatally shot Steve Perkins, 39, outside his home early Sept. 29, as a tow company attempted to repossess his truck, officials said. Phil Helsel, NBC News, 8 Dec. 2023 According to Decatur police, the incident occurred after a local towing company attempted to repossess Perkins’ truck late that night. Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023 Police shot 39-year-old Stephen Perkins outside his home in the northern Alabama city of Decatur on September 29 in a confrontation that began with a tow truck driver trying to repossess Perkins’ truck. Melissa Noel, Essence, 9 Oct. 2023 The value of a car that has been stolen or repossessed. Idalia Garcia, Car and Driver, 6 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'repossess.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of repossess was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near repossess

Cite this Entry

“Repossess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repossess. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

repossess

verb
re·​pos·​sess ˌrē-pə-ˈzes How to pronounce repossess (audio)
: to regain or retake possession of
repossession noun

Legal Definition

repossess

transitive verb
re·​pos·​sess ˌrē-pə-ˈzes How to pronounce repossess (audio)
: to regain possession of
especially : to take possession of again by judicial process or self-help upon default of the payment of installments due compare foreclose, seize sense 2
repossessor noun

More from Merriam-Webster on repossess

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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