Definitions

1. noun

a legal seizure of a person’s goods or property to secure a debt or other obligation

“The bailiff carried out a distraint on the debtor’s assets to recover the unpaid loan.”

2. noun

an act of distracting or diverting someone’s attention

“The commotion in the hallway was a distraint from the speaker’s presentation.”

3. verb

to seize or confiscate someone’s goods or property to secure a debt or other obligation

“The creditor distrained on the property to recover the unpaid mortgage.”

4. verb

to distract or divert someone’s attention

“The noise distrained the audience’s attention away from the concert.”