lien
nounUK /liːn/
US /liːn/
A legal claim on someone's property until a debt is paid.
The bank placed a lien on the house after the owner stopped paying the mortgage.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A right to keep possession of property belonging to another person until a debt owed by that person is discharged.
The mechanic exercised a lien on the car until the repair bill was settled.
3. A legal hold or security interest registered against an asset to secure payment.
The contractor filed a mechanic's lien against the building for unpaid work.
4. An obligation or encumbrance that burdens a title to property.
A title search revealed a tax lien on the land.