A standard clause in a contract that indemnifies, or protects from loss, either or both parties to a transaction if events that prevent the realization of the contract are judged to be unanticipated or uncontrollable and reasonably beyond the terms of the contract or agreement. For example, when workers at the state-owned Venezuelan oil company went on strike in late 2002, a force majeure on oil exports was declared that suspended contractual obligations due to circumstances beyond the companyÂ’s control.