failure Hear it!

failure definition

fail·ure (fāl′yər)

noun

  1. the act of failing or the state or condition resulting from having failed; specif.,
    1. a falling short
    2. a losing of power or strength
    3. a breakdown in operation or function
    4. neglect or omission
    5. a not succeeding in doing or becoming
    6. a becoming bankrupt
  2. a person or thing that fails
  3. Educ.
    1. a failing to pass
    2. ☆ a grade or mark (usually F) indicating a failing to pass

Etymology: < earlier failer < Anglo-Fr < OFr faillir: see fail

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.