Forfeit Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of FORFEIT

:

to lose or give up (something) as a punishment or because of a rule or law

[+ object]

• He forfeited his right to a trial by jury.
• If the money is not claimed within six months, it will be forfeited to the town. [=the owner of the money will lose any right to it]
• They didn't have enough players, so they ended up having to forfeit the game (to the other team).

[no object]

• They didn't have enough players, so they ended up having to forfeit.

Britannica Dictionary definition of FORFEIT

:

something that is lost or given up as punishment or because of a rule or law

[count]

— usually singular

• The judge declared the property a forfeit.
• They were required to pay a forfeit.

[noncount]

• We won the game by forfeit. [=we won because the other team forfeited the game]

Britannica Dictionary definition of FORFEIT

not used before a noun

formal

:

given up or taken away as a punishment or because of a rule or law

• If the money is not claimed within six months, it will be forfeit to the town. [=the owner of the money will lose any right to it, and it will be given to the town]