noun
- the legal seizure of someone’s property to obtain payment of money owed
Usage: legal term
Examples
- The landlord filed for distraint to recover unpaid rent.
- The court authorized distraint of the debtor’s assets.
- Distraint proceedings began after multiple payment notices were ignored.
- The bailiff carried out the distraint order on the business premises.
- Legal distraint allows creditors to seize property without going to court.
- The tenant’s goods were subject to distraint for breach of lease terms.