damages
Britishplural noun
Explanation
Damages are the official amount of money awarded to the winner in a law suit. If you're hurt in a car accident that's another driver's fault, you may end up collecting damages. The legal term damages usually refers to money that's owed or received to compensate someone for a loss or an injury. If a business owner's negligence — not clearing ice from a sidewalk, for example — causes you to be injured, you can sue her for damages to pay for your broken arm and the days of work you had to miss. Sometimes a court awards "punitive damages" as well, which are specifically intended to punish the defendant.
Vocabulary lists containing damages
The Skin I'm In
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Hitler Youth
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
City of the Plague God
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Today, excess abdominal fat is a major risk factor because it can trigger chronic inflammation that damages arteries, cardiac tissue and kidneys, he said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
A jury on Wednesday awarded their parents, Nancy and Karim Iskander, and their surviving brother $176 million in wrongful death and emotional distress damages after an eight-week civil trial.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026
The action has already prompted a lawsuit against Hill County and its three commissioners by a data center developer seeking $100 million in damages.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
The crisis cost California tens of billions of dollars in economic damages, and voters kicked Gov. Gray Davis out of office in a chaotic recall election.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Accordingly, suing a city police department for damages is generally not an option.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
