1. to seize someone’s property as security for an unpaid debt or obligation
Usage: legal

Examples

• The landlord may distrain the tenant’s belongings for unpaid rent.
• The court authorized the creditor to distrain the debtor’s assets.
• Medieval lords could distrain cattle from vassals who failed to pay taxes.
• The sheriff was ordered to distrain goods worth the amount owed.
• Property owners cannot distrain items that belong to third parties.
• The bailiff will distrain furniture if the judgment remains unpaid.