Definition of: foreclose

(fôr·klōz′, fōr′-) v. ·closed, ·clos·ing v.t.
1. Law a To deprive (a mortgager in default) of the right to redeem mortgaged property. b To take away the power to redeem (a mortgage or pledge).
2. To shut out; exclude.
—v.i.
3. To foreclose a mortgage. [<OF forclos, pp. of forclore exclude <for- outside (<L fors) + clore <L claudere close]
—fore·clos′a·ble adjective
—fore·clo′sure (-klō′zhər) noun