distraint Definition
- 1the legal seizure of someone's property in order to obtain payment of rent or other money owed
- 2the state of being distracted or distressed
Using distraint: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "distraint" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The landlord threatened to use distraint if the tenant did not pay the rent.
Example
Distraint is a common law remedy available to landlords.
Example
The distraint of goods is a legal process that can be used to recover unpaid debts.
distraint Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for distraint
Phrases with distraint
the legal process of seizing someone's property in order to obtain payment of rent or other money owed
Example
The landlord was forced to resort to distress and distraint to recover the unpaid rent.
the act of seizing someone's property in order to obtain payment of rent or other money owed
Example
The landlord obtained a warrant for the levy of distress against the tenant's property.
a legal document authorizing the seizure of someone's property in order to obtain payment of rent or other money owed
Example
The landlord obtained a distraint warrant to seize the tenant's property.
Origins of distraint
from Old French 'destrainte', from Latin 'districtus', meaning 'a seizing'
Summary: distraint in Brief
The term 'distraint' [dɪˈstreɪnt] refers to the legal seizure of someone's property in order to obtain payment of rent or other money owed. It is a common law remedy available to landlords, and can be enforced through phrases like 'distress and distraint,' 'levy of distress,' and 'distraint warrant.' Distraint can also refer to the state of being distracted or distressed.
