force majeure

American  

[fawrs ma-zhœr] / fɔrs maˈʒœr /

noun

Law.

plural

forces majeures

1. an unexpected and disruptive event that may operate to excuse a party from a contract.

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force majeure British  

/ ˈfɔːs mæˈʒɜː, -ˈdʒʊə /

noun

1. law irresistible force or compulsion such as will excuse a party from performing his or her part of a contract

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Etymology

Origin of force majeure

First recorded in 1880–85; from French: literally, “superior force”

Example Sentences

QatarEnergy declared force majeure on some LNG contracts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

"Our results are most consistent with people moving under force majeure, relying on family networks to navigate crisis."

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

National oil company QatarEnergy, which had already declared force majeure earlier this month, said strikes by Iran on Wednesday and Thursday caused extensive damage to its Ras Laffan hub.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Alba, a major aluminum company in Bahrain, declared force majeure on contracts because of the war.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Whether they were returned emigrants or people who had by force majeure accepted the Revolution and the Empire, all bore the stamp of that old world which they alone kept in memory.

From Angelot A Story of the First Empire by Price, Eleanor C. (Eleanor Catherine)