noun
escrow
EH-skroh
noun
1
Money or property held by a neutral third party until agreed conditions are met.
"The deposit was held in escrow until the sale was finalized."
verb
1
To place money or property in the custody of a neutral third party until conditions are met.
"The buyer agreed to escrow the funds pending inspection."
How to Use Escrow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMoney or property held safely by a third party until both sides of a deal fulfill their part.
Common pairings
held in escrow
escrow account
escrow agent
Word Forms
escrowed past tense, escrows plural, escrows singular
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The deposit was held in _____ until the sale was finalized.
Etymology
From Old French escroe, "a scrap or strip of parchment" (used for the document recording the agreement), related to the word "shred."