gross negligence

American

[grohs neg-li-juhns] / ˈgroʊs ˈnɛg lɪ dʒəns /

noun

Law.

in general, an act or practice of negligence that demonstrates a willful and reckless disregard for others’ safety and an indifference to their rights, such as speeding through a busy parking lot: interpreted differently in different jurisdictions.

Etymology

Origin of gross negligence

First recorded in 1665–75

Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

gross negligence

After the crash, Bustillos was charged with one count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2026

States are also required to check a federal blacklist of providers that committed crimes, gross negligence, fraud or patient abuse, as well as visit providers deemed a high fraud risk.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 29, 2026

According to Boylan’s federal appeals team, the term “misconduct” permitted the jury to convict him of something less than gross negligence, contrary to the required standard.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2026

Two men, aged 33 and 42, who were earlier arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, have since been released on conditional bail.

From BBC ● Feb. 21, 2026

What, then, is the nature of the acts that constitute gross negligence?

From Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman by Albert Sidney Bolles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023