liquidate

The definition of liquidate is to turn assets into cash, or to sell assets and pay creditors.

(verb)

When you sell your shares of stock and turn them into cash, this is an example of when you liquidate.
When a furniture store sells off its inventory and goes out of business, this is an example of when it liquidates.

See liquidate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

to settle by agreement or legal process the amount of (indebtedness, damages, etc.)
to settle the accounts of (a bankrupt business firm that is closing, etc.) by apportioning assets and debts
to pay or settle (a debt)
to convert (holdings or assets) into cash
to dispose of or get rid of, as by killing

Origin: < ML liquidatus, pp. of liquidare, to make liquid or clear < L liquidus, liquid

intransitive verb

to liquidate debts, accounts, etc.

See liquidate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb liq·ui·dat·ed, liq·ui·dat·ing, liq·ui·dates

verb, transitive

a. To pay off (a debt, a claim, or an obligation); settle.
b. To settle the affairs of (a business firm, for example) by determining the liabilities and applying the assets to their discharge.
To convert (assets) into cash.
To put an end to; abolish.
To put to death; kill.

verb, intransitive

To settle a debt, a claim, or an obligation.
To settle the affairs of a business or an estate by disposing of its assets and liabilities. See Synonyms at eliminate.

Origin:

Origin: Late Latin liquidāre, liquidāt-, to melt

Origin: , from Latin liquidus, liquid; see liquid

Related Forms: