1
2
: forfeiture especially of civil rights
3
a
: something deposited (as for making a mistake in a game) and then redeemed on payment of a fine
b
forfeits plural
: a game in which forfeits are exacted
forfeited; forfeiting; forfeits
1
: to lose or lose the right to especially by some error, offense, or crime
forfeiter
noun
: forfeited or subject to forfeiture
Synonyms
Examples of forfeit in a Sentence
Noun
the forfeit for each baseball player involved in the brawl was $5,000
Verb
He forfeited his right to a trial by jury.
They didn't have enough players, so they ended up having to forfeit.
Recent Examples on the Web
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
Wyoming was scheduled to play host to the Spartans on Saturday, but that match has already been called a forfeit.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Francis forfeited $5 million in April 2015, according to sentencing documents filed last month by his attorney.
—Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
There could be two more forfeit victories coming and the Gauchos could enter the City Section Open Division playoffs as the No. 1 seed and having not played in five weeks.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for forfeit 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Carson will end the regular season next week with a fourth forfeit against the Gauchos unless something changes.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
Wyoming was scheduled to play host to the Spartans on Saturday, but that match has already been called a forfeit.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
Narbonne received the City Section Open Division’s No. 1 seed even though the Gauchos have not played since Sept. 27 because of a boycott by four Marine League coaches forfeiting their games.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Francis forfeited $5 million in April 2015, according to sentencing documents filed last month by his attorney.
—Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Narbonne will win the Marine League championship with four forfeit wins and probably be seeded No. 1 in the playoffs with an 8-2 record.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
There could be two more forfeit victories coming and the Gauchos could enter the City Section Open Division playoffs as the No. 1 seed and having not played in five weeks.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for forfeit
Dictionary Entries Near forfeit
Cite this Entry
“Forfeit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forfeit. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
forfeit
1 of 3 noun
for·feit
ˈfȯr-fət 
: something forfeited or subject to being forfeited
forfeit
2 of 3 transitive verb1
: to lose or lose the right to by some default, failure, or neglect of obligation or duty or by some offense
shall forfeit to the United States…any proceeds which the person obtained, directly or indirectly, from racketeering activity—U.S. Code
U.S. Code2
: to subject to forfeiture
it shall be placed in the custody of the Collector, who…shall cause a notice of the seizure and intention to forfeit and sell the same—Morgan v. United States, 107 F. Supp. 501 (1952)
Morgan v. United States, 107 F. Supp. 501 (1952)
forfeitability
noun
ˌfȯr-fə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē
forfeitable
adjective
forfeit
3 of 3 adjective
: forfeited or subject to forfeiture
Etymology
Noun
Anglo-French, from Middle French forfait, past participle of forfaire to commit a crime, from fors outside + faire to do
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share