Lien

Pronunciation: /liːən/

Definitions of lien

noun a legal claim or right on a property or asset that is used as security for the payment of a debt or obligation

Example Sentences

A1 I have a lien on my car until I finish paying off the loan.

A2 The bank placed a lien on the property due to unpaid debts.

B1 The contractor filed a lien against the homeowner for non-payment of services.

B2 The lien on the house prevented the owners from selling it until the debt was settled.

C1 The lien on the business was released after the outstanding taxes were paid in full.

C2 The court ordered a lien to be placed on the defendant's assets to ensure payment of the settlement.

Examples of lien in a Sentence

formal The bank placed a lien on the property due to unpaid debts.

informal They couldn't sell the car because there was a lien on it.

slang I had to deal with getting a lien removed from my credit report.

figurative Emotional baggage can be like a lien on your happiness, weighing you down.

Grammatical Forms of lien

• past tense: liened
• plural: liens
• comparative: more lien
• superlative: most lien
• present tense: lien
• future tense: will lien
• perfect tense: have liened
• continuous tense: is liening
• singular: lien
• positive degree: lien
• infinitive: to lien
• gerund: liening
• participle: liened

Origin and Evolution of lien

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Old French

Story behind the word: The word 'lien' originated from the Old French word 'lien', which means 'bond' or 'restraint'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in the legal context to refer to a right to keep possession of property belonging to another until a debt owed by that person is discharged, the term 'lien' has evolved to also include a broader range of encumbrances on property or assets.