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noun

escrow

EH-skroh

Escrow (noun) means Money or property held by a neutral third party until agreed conditions are met. Example: “The deposit was held in escrow until the sale was finalized.”

noun
1
Money or property held by a neutral third party until agreed conditions are met.
"The deposit was held in escrow until the sale was finalized."
verb
1
To place money or property in the custody of a neutral third party until conditions are met.
"The buyer agreed to escrow the funds pending inspection."

How to use escrow

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMoney or property held safely by a third party until both sides of a deal fulfill their part.

Common pairings
held in escrow escrow account escrow agent

Word forms

escrowed past tense, escrows plural, escrows singular

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The deposit was held in _____ until the sale was finalized.

Etymology

From Old French escroe, "a scrap or strip of parchment" (used for the document recording the agreement), related to the word "shred."

Origin: Old French

Frequently asked questions

What does “escrow” mean?

The word “escrow” means money or property held by a neutral third party until agreed conditions are met. In plain terms, money or property held safely by a third party until both sides of a deal fulfill their part.

How do you pronounce “escrow”?

“Escrow” is pronounced EH-skroh (/ˈɛ.skɹoʊ̯/ in IPA).

How do you use “escrow” in a sentence?

Here is “escrow” used in a sentence: “The deposit was held in escrow until the sale was finalized.”

What part of speech is “escrow”?

Depending on how it is used, “escrow” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “escrow” come from?

The word “escrow” comes from Old French. From Old French escroe, "a scrap or strip of parchment" (used for the document recording the agreement), related to the word "shred.".

How many meanings does “escrow” have?

“Escrow” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: money or property held by a neutral third party until agreed conditions are met.

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