negligence

[neg-li-juh ns]

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noun

the quality, fact, or result of being negligent; neglect: negligence in discharging one's responsibilities.

an instance of being negligent: a downfall brought about by many negligences.

Law. the failure to exercise that degree of care that, in the circumstances, the law requires for the protection of other persons or those interests of other persons that may be injuriously affected by the want of such care.

adjective

Law. pertaining to or involving a civil action for compensation for damages filed by a person who claims to have suffered an injury or loss in an accident caused by another's negligence: a negligence suit; a large negligence award.

Origin of negligence

1300–50; Middle English, variant of necligence < Latin necligentia. See negligent, -ence

Related formsnon·neg·li·gence, nouno·ver·neg·li·gence, nounpre·neg·li·gence, nounsu·per·neg·li·gence, noun

Synonyms for negligence

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1. See neglect.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for negligence

disregard, failure, oversight, neglect, laxity, laxness, inattention, thoughtlessness, forgetfulness, unpreparedness

Examples from the Web for negligence

Contemporary Examples of negligence

Sully decides to face the truth of what his negligence has sown.
The Stacks: The Eyes of Winter: Paul Newman at 70
Peter Richmond
October 11, 2014
When it comes to the practice of democracy, Americans now have few illusions about our own incompetence, division, and negligence.
Is Democracy Doomed Abroad?
James Poulos
August 31, 2014
If convicted of negligence in this case, Lagarde could face a year in jail and a fine up to €15,000 ($20,000).
IMF Chief Lagarde Placed Under Formal Investigation in France
Tracy McNicoll
August 27, 2014
Schettino, like Lee, was arrested immediately after the accident for negligence and abandoning the ship.
South Korea’s Ferry Disaster Gives Us a New Cowardly Captain to Hate
Barbie Latza Nadeau
April 22, 2014
Since 9/11 almost 1,000 veterans have died due to negligence in the veterans health-care system.
VA Pays $200 Million for Nearly 1,000 Veterans’ Wrongful Deaths
Aaron Glantz
April 3, 2014

Historical Examples of negligence

The Athenian generals did not fail to take advantage of this negligence.
Stories from Thucydides
H. L. Havell
His negligence on the other hand has been too conspicuous in the affair of Cn.
The Siege of Boston
Allen French
The charm of that style consists in the negligence with which the paint is applied.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete
Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
He instantly summoned the servants, and took them to task for their negligence.
The Masked Bridal
Mrs. Georgie Sheldon
But the Vice Consul, by his negligence, prolonged our misfortunes.
Perils and Captivity
Charlotte-Adlade [ne Picard] Dard

British Dictionary definitions for negligence

negligence

noun

the state or quality of being negligent

a negligent act

law a civil wrong whereby a person or party is in breach of a legal duty of care to another which results in loss or injury to the claimant

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for negligence

mid-14c., from Old French negligence "negligence, sloth; injury, injustice" (12c.), and directly from Latin neclegentia, neglegentia "carelessness, heedlessness, neglect," from neglegentem (nominative neglegens) "heedless, careless, unconcerned," present participle of neglegere "to neglect" (see neglect (v.)).