–verb (used with object) to foreclose a mortgage or pledge

1. Law

• to deprive (a mortgagor or pledgor) of the right to redeem his or her property, esp. on failure to make payment on a mortgage when due, ownership of property then passing to the mortgagee.
• to take away the right to redeem (a mortgage or pledge)

2. to shut out, exclude; bar

3. to hinder or prevent, as from doing something

4. to establish an exclusive claim to

5. to close, settle, or answer beforehand