A penalty for or consequence of a misdemeanor.
A guide to forfeit
• A thing forfeited; that which is taken from somebody in requital of a misdeed committed; that which is lost, or the right to which is alienated, by a crime, breach of contract, etc.
• Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine as part of a game.
• Injury; wrong; mischief.
(Verb) To suffer the loss of something by wrongdoing or non-compliance
• To lose a contest, game, match, or other form of competition by voluntary withdrawal, by failing to attend or participate, or by violation of the rules
• To be guilty of a misdeed; to be criminal; to transgress.
• To fail to keep an obligation.
• Of government officials: to legally remove property from its previous owners.
(Adjective) Lost or alienated for an offense or crime; liable to penal seizure.
Why forfeit is relevant in U.S. law
forfeit appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
When and how forfeit applies
In practice, forfeit is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.