# liquidate

/ˈɫɪkwɪˌdeɪt/ (US) · /lˈɪkwɪdˌeɪt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/liquidate
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

to sell all of your property or assets to get money. You usually do this when a company is closing down or when you need cash quickly.

For teachers: to convert assets into cash, typically through the sale of property or securities. Often used in the context of corporate bankruptcy or the dissolution of a partnership.

## Examples

- The company had to liquidate its assets to pay its debts.
- After the merger failed, the board decided to liquidate the remaining inventory to settle outstanding liabilities.
- The sudden drop in market value forced the hedge fund to liquidate its entire portfolio of high-yield bonds to meet the margin calls from its lenders.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.