noun Uncommon

lien

leen

Lien (noun) means a legal right to hold or sell someone's property until a debt owed on it is paid off. Example: “The contractor placed a lien on the house after the owner missed payments.”

noun

A legal right to hold or sell someone's property until a debt owed on it is paid off.

"The contractor placed a lien on the house after the owner missed payments."

"Buyers should always check for an existing lien before purchasing a used car."

How to use lien

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA legal claim on property that lets a creditor get paid before the owner can freely sell it.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "lean" (to tilt) or "lean" (not fat) — all sound alike but are unrelated.

Easily confused with

lean →

Common pairings

place a lien lien on the property release a lien

Word forms

liens plural, lienes plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The contractor placed a _____ on the house after the owner missed payments.

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French lien ("bond, tie"), from Latin ligare, "to bind" — the same root as ligament.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for lien

Tien Bien alien Chien Julien Adrien Vivien Damien Ambien

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Frequently asked questions

What does “lien” mean?

The word “lien” means a legal right to hold or sell someone's property until a debt owed on it is paid off. In plain terms, a legal claim on property that lets a creditor get paid before the owner can freely sell it.

How do you pronounce “lien”?

“Lien” is pronounced leen (/liːn/ in IPA).

How do you use “lien” in a sentence?

Here is “lien” used in a sentence: “The contractor placed a lien on the house after the owner missed payments.”

What part of speech is “lien”?

“Lien” is a noun.

Where does the word “lien” come from?

The word “lien” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Middle French lien ("bond, tie"), from Latin ligare, "to bind" — the same root as ligament.

Is “lien” a common word?

“Lien” is an uncommon word in modern English.