lease

lease · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A contract granting use of property for a specified time in exchange for payment.

  2. 2.

    To grant the use of property under a lease.

  3. 3.

    The period of time covered by such a contract.

  4. 4.

    To take possession of property under a lease.

Forms

plural: leases

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    new lease on life — a chance to live longer or better
  • •
    lease out — to rent property to others
  • •
    lease agreement — the formal contract for renting

Related words

Antonyms: ownership, purchase
See also: landlord, rent, tenant
Synonyms: contract, rental agreement, tenancy

Etymology

From Old French laisser ("to let, leave"), from Latin laxare ("to loosen"), from laxus ("loose"). The legal sense developed in Anglo-Norman French.