liability

[lahy-uh-bil-i-tee]

noun

plural

liabilities 

1. liabilities,

   1. Finance.,  moneys owed; debts or pecuniary obligations (assets ).

   2. Accounting.,  liabilities as detailed on a balance sheet, especially in relation to assets and capital.

2. something disadvantageous.

   His lack of education is his biggest liability.

3. Also liableness the state or quality of being liable.

   liability to disease.

liability

/ ˌlaɪəˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state of being liable

2. a financial obligation

3. a hindrance or disadvantage

4. likelihood or probability

liability

1. An obligation or debt.

Other Word Forms

• nonliability noun
• preliability noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of liability¹

First recorded in 1785–95; li(able) + -ability

Example Sentences

Some might see you as a bigger liability for a speeding ticket than others, for example.

Read more on MarketWatch

That means some of the sweetness in milk-based drinks will not count towards the total sugar when determining their liability for the tax.

Read more on BBC

Obeying a manifestly illegal order, like an order to target civilians, can expose a service member to criminal liability.

Read more on Salon

Insurers are introducing exclusions for artificial intelligence in new policies, fearing liability from generative AI errors.

Read more on Barron's

This lease structure minimizes the lease liabilities and related assets Meta will recognize, and enables Meta to use “operating lease,” rather than “finance lease,” treatment.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• damage 
• inconvenience 
• involvement 
• loan 
• mortgage 
• obligation 
• responsibility