1 forfeit | Definition of forfeit

forfeit

noun
for·​feit | \ ˈfȯr-fÉ™t How to pronounce forfeit (audio) \

Definition of forfeit

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : something forfeited or subject to being forfeited (as for a crime, offense, or neglect of duty) : penalty They were required to pay a forfeit.
2 : forfeiture especially of civil rights
3a : 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

forfeit

verb
forfeited; forfeiting; forfeits

Definition of forfeit (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to lose or lose the right to especially by some error, offense, or crime
2 : to subject to confiscation as a forfeit also : abandon, give up

forfeit

adjective

Definition of forfeit (Entry 3 of 3)

: forfeited or subject to forfeiture

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Other Words from forfeit

Verb

forfeitable \ ˈfȯr-​fÉ™-​tÉ™-​bÉ™l How to pronounce forfeitable (audio) \ adjective
forfeiter noun

Synonyms for forfeit

Synonyms: Noun

damages, fine, forfeiture, mulct, penalty

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Hightower made the playoffs despite an unusual season that included several close losses, a forfeit and a coaching change. Jack Marrion, Houston Chronicle, "Ridge Point, Marshall football teams look to remain on top in district," 26 Aug. 2019 Harris, a former USC player who went on to compete in the NFL, experienced how to create a positive environment despite the Nitros winning just two games (one by forfeit) last year. Charles Rich, Glendale News-Press, "Football Preview: Glendale looks to take huge step forward," 20 Aug. 2019 Argentina was given 15 minutes to change their jerseys but couldn’t come up with the right uniform in time, prompting the forfeit. Fox News, "Argentina women's basketball team forfeits game after wearing wrong jerseys," 10 Aug. 2019 The 5-foot-10, 160-pound Paul guided the squad to a 5-0 record (one game was a forfeit) and a state title. Phil Jensen, The Mercury News, "Bay Area Preps HQ football preview: No. 11 McClymonds," 6 Aug. 2019 There was one catch: The night before its first game, Overseas Elite had four players available and needed Travis Bader to get on a plane to Atlanta the next afternoon after playing in the Orlando Summer League or face the possibility of a forfeit. Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, "Will Overseas Elite win a fifth consecutive TBT? That's the $2 million question," 18 July 2019 Last August, the Las Vegas Aces forfeited a game -- the first forfeit in WNBA history -- after travel issues led to the team spending more than 25 hours in airports and airplanes. Leah Asmelash And Brian Ries, CNN, "The struggle was real for these WNBA players trying to get home after a game," 25 June 2019 With three forfeits coming in district games, Calvary went from a clear frontrunner in District 7-4A to fourth behind Chaminade, Westminster Academy and Hialeah Educational Academy. David Furones, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Nationally ranked Calvary Christian baseball team forfeits 12 games," 11 Apr. 2018 Playing against his former team, Watkins lost to Krishnan and Huang by scores of 6-2 and 6-1 respectively, before his forfeit win in the third round. Matt Szabo, latimes.com, "Sage Hill eases past Newport Harbor in boys’ tennis," 16 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The design of the bill is to allow college athletes in the state of California to profit from endorsements and hire agents to represent their business interests without forfeiting amateur eligibility. Brendan Bowers, LeBron Wire, "Lakers superstar LeBron James lends support to California's Fair Pay to Play Act," 5 Sep. 2019 No other American has won the world title since Fischer forfeited his in 1975. Peter Nicholas, The Atlantic, "The End of the Golden Era of Chess," 5 Sep. 2019 According to the criminal complaint, a $70,000 bond and another $30,000 bond were revoked and forfeited because of Sunde's failure to comply with court orders. Evan Frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A Waukesha County judge sets bail at $250,000 for the woman involved in the I-94 police standoff," 4 Sep. 2019 His plea also requires him to forfeit any proceeds from his crime. Mike Rogoway, oregonlive, "Vancouver man pleads guilty to enormous ‘Satori’ botnet attack," 4 Sep. 2019 The team lost to Chicago in the next round, but history shows Cumberland actually won that game because Chicago was forced to forfeit for cheating. 2. Dan Mcgowan, BostonGlobe.com, "R.I.’s best Little League World Series teams, ranked," 15 Aug. 2019 Argentina’s women’s basketball team was forced to forfeit its game on Wednesday for non-sports related reason: wearing the wrong color uniform, according to ESPN. Georgia Slater, PEOPLE.com, "Argentina Basketball Team Forced to Forfeit Pan American Games Match-Up — Because of Wrong Uniforms," 9 Aug. 2019 The lawsuit seeks to invalidate Orozco’s contract, force him to forfeit the position, and require him to repay the salary he was unlawfully paid. Lex Talamo, The Seattle Times, "Washington attorney general accuses Wapato city official of enriching himself by creating and accepting $95,000 job," 10 June 2019 The nationally ranked Calvary Christian baseball team has been forced to forfeit the first 12 games of its season — 11 of them wins. David Furones, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Nationally ranked Calvary Christian baseball team forfeits 12 games," 11 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Arkansas claims a forfeit victory in a game that Ole Miss won on the field 13-7 in 1914. Mark Inabinett | [email protected], al, "Arkansas at Ole Miss by the numbers: Hogs return to scene of most recent SEC win," 7 Sep. 2019 That cut Lansdowne’s 6-0 lead, that came on a forfeit win at 120, in half. Craig Clary, baltimoresun.com, "Unbeaten Lansdowne wrestling squad wins final two matches and defeats Franklin," 25 Jan. 2018 Bretli Reyna scored the first pin of the night for South Dade at 120 pounds with Tyler Orta (126) and Joshua Swan (138) winning matches sandwiching a forfeit win for Fleming Island’s Jaquan English. Brant Parsons, OrlandoSentinel.com, "South Dade takes home inaugural state duals title in 3A," 21 Jan. 2018 The forfeit win will boost Cedar Creek’s playoff chances. Phil Anastasia, Philly.com, "Breaking: Delsea football forfeits win over Cedar Creek," 21 Sep. 2017 Catonsville’s other victories were a forfeit win by Chase Ritter (113) and a 3-2 decision by sophomore Ewan Hemmis (120) over Desean Hunter. Craig Clary, baltimoresun.com, "Lansdowne wrestling pins down Southwestern Battle for second straight year," 12 Dec. 2017 Notable: East River made a major leap this week from ninth to sixth after picking up a forfeit win over Timber Creek and beating St. Cloud, which added three points to its playoff average. J.c. Carnahan, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Final football playoff projections pave way for Sunday announcement show," 1 Nov. 2017 Arkansas claims a forfeit victory in a game that Ole Miss won on the field 13-7 in 1914. Mark Inabinett, AL.com, "Arkansas at Ole Miss by the numbers: Rebels get new QB again," 28 Oct. 2017 Every win last season was taken away and became a forfeit loss because the team used ineligible players. Eric Sondheimer, latimes.com, "Los Angeles might be winless, but Jeffrey Martinez still plays for love of the game," 8 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'forfeit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of forfeit

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for forfeit

Noun, Verb, and Adjective

Middle English forfait, from Anglo-French, from past participle of forfaire, forsfaire to commit a crime, forfeit, from fors outside (from Latin foris) + faire to do, from Latin facere — more at forum, do

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More Definitions for forfeit

forfeit

noun
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