force majeure

American  

[fawrs ma-zhœr] / fɔrs maˈʒœr /

noun

Law.

forces majeures plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• forces majeures
  plural

Etymology

Origin of force majeure

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

Example Sentences

Purchasers have also been hit by the fact that many pre-war contracts governing prices have been suspended as producers cite "force majeure," forcing reliance on higher spot market prices.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Pulsar’s Cain said helium buyers as far apart as India and Brazil have also received force majeure notices in recent days from their suppliers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Alba—a leading aluminum producer in Bahrain—declared force majeure, freeing the company from its contractual liabilities, on March 4 due to the conflict, according to multiple sources.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Still, “QatarEnergy declared force majeure on some supply contracts following last week’s attacks on its facilities,” ANZ analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

These checks are the exercise of a force majeure, which is often invidious and always difficult.

From The New Irish Constitution by Morgan, J. H.