distrain: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, legal, technical
Quick answer
What does “distrain” mean?
To seize someone's property to force payment of a debt or to enforce a legal judgment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To seize someone's property to force payment of a debt or to enforce a legal judgment.
To legally take possession of goods or assets as a means of compulsion, typically by a landlord, creditor, or government authority, often as a last resort when other attempts at collection have failed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The legal procedures and terminology surrounding distraint differ between jurisdictions, but the core meaning is identical. In the UK, it is strongly associated with landlord-tenant law for rent arrears. In the US, it may be used more broadly for tax collection or enforcing court judgments.
Connotations
Both carry a formal, severe, and coercive connotation. In the UK, it may evoke historical images of bailiffs seizing goods. In the US, it is a technical legal term with less everyday recognition.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Slightly more common in UK legal texts due to specific landlord remedies. In the US, terms like 'levy', 'seize', or 'repossess' are often preferred in non-specialist contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “distrain” in a Sentence
[Subject] distrains [upon/on] [Object (goods/property)] for [Reason (debt/rent)][Subject] distrains [Object (goods)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “distrain” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The landlord obtained a warrant to distrain upon the tenant's furniture for the unpaid rent.
- Historically, a bailiff could distrain cattle found on the debtor's land.
American English
- The court order permitted the sheriff to distrain the defendant's bank accounts.
- The tax authority has the power to distrain property for unpaid taxes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contracts and debt recovery discussions: 'The clause allows the lender to distrain on the company's equipment.'
Academic
Found in law, history, or economics texts discussing property rights and debt enforcement.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Core term in legal documents, particularly relating to landlord-tenant law, tax law, and enforcement of judgments.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “distrain”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “distrain”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “distrain”
- Using it to mean 'to cause distress'.
- Using it without a legal context.
- Misspelling as 'distain' or 'distraint' (the latter is the noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Repossess' usually refers to taking back specific property (like a car) where ownership was retained by the creditor. 'Distrain' is a broader legal seizure of any goods to compel payment or performance, often done by a third party like a bailiff.
No. The object of 'distrain' is always property, goods, or assets, not a person. You distrain *upon* someone's goods.
The primary noun is 'distraint'. The person who carries it out is a 'distrainor'.
Yes, but almost exclusively in formal legal, financial, and governmental contexts, particularly in the UK. It is not part of everyday vocabulary.
To seize someone's property to force payment of a debt or to enforce a legal judgment.
Distrain is usually formal, legal, technical in register.
Distrain: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈstreɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˈstreɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Distrain upon someone's goods”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TRAIN taking away your possessions because of financial STRAIN. DIS-TRAIN.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW IS A PHYSICAL FORCE (that can take hold of objects).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'distrain' most appropriately used?