warranty

noun

war·​ran·​ty ˈwȯr-ən-tē How to pronounce warranty (audio)
ˈwär-
plural warranties
1
a
: a real covenant binding the grantor of an estate and the grantor's heirs to warrant and defend the title
b
: a collateral undertaking that a fact regarding the subject of a contract is or will be as it is expressly or by implication declared or promised to be
2
: something that authorizes, sanctions, supports, or justifies : warrant
3
: a usually written guarantee of the integrity of a product and of the maker's responsibility for the repair or replacement of defective parts

Examples of warranty in a Sentence

The stereo came with a three-year warranty. a one-year warranty for the refrigerator
Recent Examples on the Web The building's new roof, which is still under warranty, may be allowing water to seep in when there's heavy rainfall or melting snow, an Evergreen executive said. Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024 Plus, every purchase comes with a two-year warranty, no questions asked. Marilyn La Jeunesse, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2024 Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Conclusion: Despite the hubbub over electrics, full-sized pickups like the Sierra are hotter than hot in America – the top three best-selling vehicles in the country are the Ford F-series, Silverado and Ram. Josh Max, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 And remember to see if your credit card has a program offering an extended warranty and/or purchase protection. Laura Daily, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2024 Woot is selling them with a 90-day limited warranty, but Amazon and Best Buy are also discounting the wireless earbuds in new condition to $129.99 ($40 off), which is just $10 more than their all-time low. Quentyn Kennemer, The Verge, 3 Feb. 2024 If the cap at the base of a cup comes off and exposes the pellet, the company continues, customers can submit a warranty claim on their website. Kelly Livingston, ABC News, 2 Feb. 2024 In May, Ford shareholders voiced concern about recall and warranty costs. Detroit Free Press, 1 Mar. 2024 Many rightfully balked at their $299.99 and $349.99 starting prices, but now through March 9th, Woot is offering new open-box Magic Keyboards for the 11-inch iPad Pro and newer iPad Airs with a 90-day warranty in white for $189.99 ($110 off). Quentyn Kennemer, The Verge, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'warranty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English warantie, from Anglo-French warantie, garantie, from warentir to warrant

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of warranty was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near warranty

Cite this Entry

“Warranty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warranty. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

warranty

noun
war·​ran·​ty ˈwȯr-ənt-ē How to pronounce warranty (audio)
ˈwär-
plural warranties
: a written statement guaranteeing the good condition of a product and stating the maker's responsibility for the repair or replacement of faulty parts

Legal Definition

warranty

noun
war·​ran·​ty ˈwȯr-ən-tē, ˈwär- How to pronounce warranty (audio)
plural warranties
1
: a promise in a deed that gives the grantee of an estate recourse (as through an action for damages) against the grantor and the grantor's heirs in case the grantee is evicted by someone holding a paramount title

called also covenant of warranty

see also special warranty deed and warranty deed at deed
2
a
: a promise in a contract (as for a sale or lease) which states that the subject of the contract is as represented (as in being free from defective workmanship) and which gives the warrantee recourse against the warrantor
a warranty against defects is implied by the sale
see also breach of warranty at breach sense 1a compare caveat emptor

Note: A warranty was originally considered to extend only to those parties having privity of contract (as the manufacturer and dealer of an automobile), but cases have held that a warranty also extends to the final consumer who does not contract directly with the manufacturer. Both express and implied warranties may be modified, limited, or even waived by agreement of the parties. Breach of a warranty generally does not constitute breach of the entire contract.

express warranty
: a warranty that is created in a contract by a statement of fact (as a description) which is made about the object of the contract and which forms a basis of the bargain
implied warranty
: a warranty that is not expressly stated but that is recognized or imposed by the law based on the nature of the transaction
warranty of fitness
: a usually implied warranty that the property being sold is fit for the purpose for which the buyer is purchasing it

Note: Under the Uniform Commercial Code, a seller must know the purpose for which goods are being bought and that the buyer is relying on the seller's skill or judgment in order for a warranty of fitness to be implied.

warranty of habitability
: a usually implied warranty in a residential lease that the leased premises will be habitable

Note: If a landlord breaches a warranty of habitability, a tenant may have such remedies as terminating the tenancy, recovering damages, or withholding rent. The warranty is based in many jurisdictions either on case law or statute.

warranty of merchantability
: a usually implied warranty that the property being sold is merchantable (as by being of a quality that is generally acceptable in that line of trade)

Note: Under the Uniform Commercial Code, a warranty of merchantability is not implied unless the seller is a merchant with respect to the goods sold.

b
: a usually written guarantee of the integrity of a consumer product and of the maker's responsibility for the repair or replacement of defective parts see also Consumer Product Safety Act
3
: a statement made in an insurance policy by the insured that a fact relating to the subject of the insurance or the risk exists or will exist or that some related act has been done or will be done compare representation

Note: A warranty in an insurance policy must be true or be fulfilled in order for the policy to be valid.

affirmative warranty
: a warranty stating that a fact or condition is currently true
promissory warranty
: a warranty stating that a fact or condition is and will remain true
Etymology

modification (influenced by warrant) of Anglo-French garantie, from garantir to protect, warrant

More from Merriam-Webster on warranty

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