diligence

1 of 2

noun (1)

dil·​i·​gence ˈdi-lə-jən(t)s 

1

a

: steady, earnest, and energetic effort : devoted and painstaking work and application to accomplish an undertaking : assiduity

showed great diligence in tracking down the story

He had earned universal respect for his integrity, fairness, and diligence.

—John L. Sanders

b

obsolete : speed, haste

Go, hence with diligence!

—Shakespeare

2

law : the attention and care legally expected or required of a person (such as a party to a contract) see also due diligence

diligence

2 of 2

noun (2)

di·​li·​gence ˈdi-lə-ˌzhäⁿs  ˈdi-lə-jən(t)s 

: stagecoach

The railway had driven coach companies out of business …. Once, the journey had taken three days by diligence.

—Graham Robb

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• assiduity
• assiduousness
• industriousness
• industry
• sedulity
• sedulousness

Examples of diligence in a Sentence

Noun (1)

through the diligence and ingenuity of a single detective, the gang's ringleader was finally caught

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But now, with the fiscal situation back in the spotlight, more diligence could be warranted. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 20 May 2025

Katie Woo covers these Cards for The Athletic with diligence and care, even when the going gets tough. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Being in the room and witnessing the diligence of students and others firsthand who walked throughout the expansive space to connect with their peers was moving. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Apr. 2025

In the midst of a society that, as we are told by one of the characters in Chie Hayakawa’s Renoir, is characterized by diligence and modesty, young Fuki Okita (Yui Suzuki) is living on instinct and imagination. —Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 17 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin diligentia, from diligent-, diligens — see diligent

Noun (2)

French, literally, haste, from Middle French, persevering application

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

1742, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing diligence

• due diligence

Kids Definition

diligence

noun

dil·​i·​gence

ˈdil-ə-jən(t)s

: careful and continued work : industry

Legal Definition

diligence

noun

dil·​i·​gence ˈdi-lə-jəns 

: earnest and persistent application of effort especially as required by law

also : care sense 1 see also due diligence