negligence
[ neg-li-juh ns ]
/ ˈnɛg lɪ dʒəns /
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.
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Nearby words
neglected, neglectful, neglectfully, neglection, negligee, negligence, negligent, negligently, negligible, negotiable, negotiable instrument
Origin of negligence
Related formsnon·neg·li·gence, nouno·ver·neg·li·gence, nounpre·neg·li·gence, nounsu·per·neg·li·gence, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for negligence
British Dictionary definitions for negligence
negligence
/ (ˈnɛɡlɪdʒəns) /
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
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Word Origin and History for negligence
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.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper