1
a
: omission of occurrence or performance
b(1)
: a state of inability to perform a normal function
kidney failure
compare heart failure
(2)
: an abrupt cessation of normal functioning
a power failure
c
: a fracturing or giving way under stress
structural failure
2
a
: lack of success
b
: a failing in business : bankruptcy
He was trying to rescue the company from failure.
3
a
: a falling short : deficiency
a crop failure
b
4
: one that has failed
He felt like a failure when he wasn't accepted into law school.
Synonyms
Examples of failure in a Sentence
He became discouraged by his repeated failures in business.
He was often crippled by his fear of failure.
The accident was caused by engine failure.
The patient was suffering from heart failure.
The accident was caused by a failure to use proper procedures.
She was criticized for failure to follow directions.
The drought caused crop failure.
He felt like a failure when he wasn't accepted into law school.
The scheme was a complete failure.
Recent Examples on the Web
While most people recover within a week, five to 10 percent develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
—
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2024
In 1983, the Supreme Court ruled in Bearden v. Georgia that courts must determine whether a defendant has the ability to pay, as opposed to willfully refusing to pay, before revoking probation for failure to pay a fine.
—Isabelle Kause, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Apr. 2024
Recalled vehicles: 2023-2024 Prius 2023-2024 Prius HEV (Prius Prime)
Toyota recalling Lexus for airbag deployment failure
Toyota is recalling 1,000 of its Lexus LS 500 and LS 500h vehicles.
—USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024
But no criminal charges were brought against the soldiers because, the military said at the time, no causal link was found between Mr. Assad’s death and the failures of the soldiers’ conduct.
—Julian E. Barnes, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
One common thread in the team’s failure to hit with runners in scoring position, Roberts said, was that batters were often falling behind in counts.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2024
The Wintel story is a pointed reminder that all companies, including the best, suffer failures and fall into crises.
—Bygeoff Colvin, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
State law already requires cause — like failure to pay rent — before a tenant can be evicted during their lease.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024
So taking ibuprofen can be dangerous for patients with kidney disease or failure; those with liver damage or cirrhosis; and people with conditions that put strain on their kidneys, such as high blood pressure or heart failure.
—Melinda Wenner Moyer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2024
In 1983, the Supreme Court ruled in Bearden v. Georgia that courts must determine whether a defendant has the ability to pay, as opposed to willfully refusing to pay, before revoking probation for failure to pay a fine.
—Isabelle Kause, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Apr. 2024
Recalled vehicles: 2023-2024 Prius 2023-2024 Prius HEV (Prius Prime)
Toyota recalling Lexus for airbag deployment failure
Toyota is recalling 1,000 of its Lexus LS 500 and LS 500h vehicles.
—USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024
But no criminal charges were brought against the soldiers because, the military said at the time, no causal link was found between Mr. Assad’s death and the failures of the soldiers’ conduct.
—Julian E. Barnes, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
One common thread in the team’s failure to hit with runners in scoring position, Roberts said, was that batters were often falling behind in counts.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2024
The Wintel story is a pointed reminder that all companies, including the best, suffer failures and fall into crises.
—Bygeoff Colvin, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
State law already requires cause — like failure to pay rent — before a tenant can be evicted during their lease.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024
So taking ibuprofen can be dangerous for patients with kidney disease or failure; those with liver damage or cirrhosis; and people with conditions that put strain on their kidneys, such as high blood pressure or heart failure.
—Melinda Wenner Moyer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'failure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near failure
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/failure. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
failure
noun
fail·ure
ˈfā(ə)l-yər 
1
a
: a failing to do or perform
failure to pass the test
b
: neglect of an assigned or expected action
failure to pay on time
c
: inability to perform a normal function well enough
heart failure
2
a
: a lack of success
failure in the campaign
b
: bankruptcy
a business failure
3
a
: a falling short : deficiency
crop failure
b
: a breaking down
a failure of memory
4
: one that has failed
the scheme was a complete failure
Medical Definition
failure
noun
fail·ure
ˈfā(ə)l-yər
: a state of inability to perform a vital function
acute renal failure
respiratory failure
see heart failure
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