failure

[feyl-yer]

noun

1. an act or instance of failing fail or proving unsuccessful; lack of success.

   His effort ended in failure.

   The campaign was a failure.

2. nonperformance of something due, required, or expected.

   a failure to do what one has promised;

   a failure to appear.

3. a subnormal quantity or quality; an insufficiency.

   the failure of crops.

4. deterioration or decay, especially of vigor, strength, etc..

   The failure of her health made retirement necessary.

5. a condition of being bankrupt by reason of insolvency.

6. a becoming insolvent or bankrupt.

   the failure of a bank.

7. a person or thing that proves unsuccessful.

   He is a failure in his career.

   The cake is a failure.

failure

/ ˈfeɪljə /

noun

1. the act or an instance of failing

2. a person or thing that is unsuccessful or disappointing

   the evening was a failure

3. nonperformance of something required or expected

   failure to attend will be punished

4. cessation of normal operation; breakdown

   a power failure

5. an insufficiency or shortage

   a crop failure

6. a decline or loss, as in health or strength

7. the fact of not reaching the required standard in an examination, test, course, etc

8. the act or process of becoming bankrupt or the state of being bankrupt

Other Word Forms

• nonfailure noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of failure¹

First recorded in 1635–45; fail + -ure; replacing failer “a fault, default,” from Anglo-French (noun use of infinitive), for Old French faillir

Example Sentences

“Newsmax cannot sue their way out of their own competitive failures in the marketplace to chase headlines simply because they can’t attract viewers,” the company said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Cutler was charged with DUI, possession of a handgun while under the influence, failure to exercise due care and violating implied consent.

From Los Angeles Times

McLaren have traced the engine failure in last weekend's Dutch Grand Prix that dented Norris' title hopes to a broken oil line - a McLaren issue rather than a problem with the Mercedes engine.

From BBC

History will be kind when his achievements off the field are reflected upon - but there can be no escaping the failures on it.

From BBC

Scrub a little of the humor from the script, and it’s basically a West Coast version of “The Pitt,” using familiar sitcom props and set-ups to portray the many facets of systemic failure.

From Salon

Related Words

• bankruptcy 
• breakdown 
• collapse 
• decline 
• defeat 
• deficiency 
• deterioration 
• failing 
• loss 
• misstep