escheat

1 of 2

noun

es·​cheat is-ˈchēt How to pronounce escheat (audio)
ish-ˈchēt
1
: escheated property
2
a
: the reversion of lands in English feudal law to the lord of the fee when there are no heirs capable of inheriting under the original grant
b
: the reversion of property to the crown in England or to the state in the U.S. when there are no legal heirs

escheat

2 of 2

verb

escheated; escheating; escheats

transitive verb

: to cause to revert by escheat

intransitive verb

: to revert by escheat
escheatable
is-ˈchē-tə-bəl How to pronounce escheat (audio)
ish-
adjective

Examples of escheat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Links to state escheat offices can be found online at unclaimed.org, the website for the National Assn. of Unclaimed Property Administrators. — Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English eschete, from Anglo-French, reversion of property, from escheir to fall, devolve, from Vulgar Latin *excadēre, from Latin ex- + Vulgar Latin *cadēre to fall, from Latin cadere — more at chance

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of escheat was in the 14th century

Rhymes for escheat

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Browse Nearby Words

escheat
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Cite this Entry

“Escheat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escheat. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

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Legal Definition

escheat

1 of 2 noun
es·​cheat is-ˈchēt How to pronounce escheat (audio)
1
: escheated property
2
: the reversion of property to the state upon the death of the owner when there are no heirs

escheat

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to cause to revert by escheat

intransitive verb

: to revert by escheat
escheatable adjective
Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French eschete reversion of property, from Old French escheoite accession, inheritance, from feminine past participle of escheoir to fall (to), befall, ultimately from Latin ex- out + cadere to fall

More from Merriam-Webster on escheat

Nglish: Translation of escheat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about escheat

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