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 results could be greater battery longevity, faster charging, and longer warranties that provide assurance as a vehicle passes through multiple owners – all derived from more sophisticated software. James Morris, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024 Of course, the gold standard is a forever or lifetime warranty, which ensures your mattress for life in the event of defects. Ashley Zlatopolsky, Architectural Digest, 25 Oct. 2024 Robocall scams Robocalls are automated calls that use a recording instead of a live person, often with the intent to scam victims, such as in auto warranty, tech support, or IRS/ Social security impersonator scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 25 Oct. 2024 Plus, all Mercedes vehicles come with a 24 hour roadside assistance program and a new vehicle 4 year and 50,000 mile warranty. Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for warranty 

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 31 Oct. 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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