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Definition of lien

lien

/ˈliː.ən/
li · en
Plural:liens
•
Adjective:lienable
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lien Lexical Profile

lien Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A legal right or claim to keep possession of property belonging to another person until a debt owed by that person is discharged.

Example

"The contractor placed a mechanic's lien on the house after the homeowner failed to pay for the roof repairs."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for lien
Antonyms
View all antonyms for lien

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse with its homophone 'lean' (to incline, or having little fat); 'lien' is strictly a legal and financial noun referring to a claim on property.

• Rhymes for lien

• Nearby Words

liechtenstein
liege
lielupe
lien
lienholder
lieu
lieutenant

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the 16th century from Middle French lien ('bond' or 'tie'), which derives from Latin ligamen ('bond, bandage'), from the verb ligare ('to bind').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lien. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lien
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