negligence

[ neg-li-juh ns ]

/ ˈnɛg lɪ dʒəns /

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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.

Nearby words

Origin of negligence

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

SYNONYMS FOR negligence

1. See neglect.

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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

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
It would be cruel to disturb her now with such a revelation of her own negligence.
The Price of Love|Arnold Bennett
Nor can you so easily be erased from my memory as my negligence might seem to imply.
As I Remember|Marian Gouverneur
The poor Frenchman died, complaining bitterly of the barbarous ignorance and negligence which had shortened his days.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
Only the idler would suffer in such an order as is here outlined; he shall surely meet the results of his negligence.
The Articles of Faith|James E. Talmage
All this arises from our negligence of making a proper estimate of the relative position occupied by both sides.'
A Fantasy of Far Japan|Baron Kencho Suyematsu

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.)).

negligence

noun

adjective

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Origin of negligence

Examples from the Web for negligence

negligence

noun

negligence