act of God

American  

noun

Law.

1. a direct, sudden, and irresistible action of natural forces such as could not reasonably have been foreseen or prevented, as a flood, hurricane, earthquake, or other natural catastrophe.

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act of God British  

noun

1. law a sudden and inevitable occurrence caused by natural forces and not by the agency of man, such as a flood, earthquake, or a similar catastrophe

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act of God ¹ Cultural  

1. An event beyond human control — e.g., hurricane, earthquake, volcanic eruption (see volcano), etc. — for which there is no legal redress. The phrase is frequently used by insurance companies and lawyers.

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act of God ² Cultural  

1. A natural catastrophe, e.g., a hurricane, an earthquake, or a volcanic eruption. (See volcano.)

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act of God Idioms  

1. An unforeseen and uncontrollable natural event, such as a hurricane, fire, or flood. For example, The publisher shall publish the work within twelve months except in case of delay caused by acts of God such as fires or floods or other circumstances beyond its control. It most often appears in legal contracts, where it is used to indemnify one party against a disaster that prevents it from carrying out the contract's terms. [Mid-1800s]

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In contracts dealing with the delivery of goods or services, the term is used to protect the parties from litigation over delays or failures in performance owing to circumstances beyond their control.

As a legal term relating to property damage, it appears in insurance contracts: “After the flood, Papovich was dismayed to discover that his house was not insured against acts of God.”

Etymology

Origin of act of God

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Warsh’s confirmation testimony cut through the fog: inflation is not an act of God, a shipping-container mystery, or a Gulf headline.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

“We’ve had a philosophy here at United to guide conservatively, to build in one act of God, because this industry, things happen. Fuel prices spike,” Chief Financial Officer Michael Leskinen said last year.

From Barron's • Mar. 9, 2026

United bakes in plenty of the unexpected when setting financial targets: It accounts for one so-called act of God each time it provides guidance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

"That was an act of God," she told a daily briefing on Monday.

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2025

But for the Osage every death, every apparent act of God, was now in doubt.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann