default

1 of 2

noun

de·​fault di-ˈfȯlt 

dē-;

ˈdē-ˌfȯlt

1

: failure to do something required by duty or law : neglect

2

archaic : fault

3

economics : a failure to pay financial debts

was in default on her loan

mortgage defaults

4

a

law : failure to appear at the required time in a legal proceeding

The defendant is in default.

b

: failure to compete in or to finish an appointed contest

lost the game by default

5

a

: a selection made usually automatically or without active consideration due to lack of a viable alternative

remained the club's president by default

the default candidate

b

computers : a selection automatically used by a program in the absence of a choice made by the user

using the default settings

default

2 of 2

verb

defaulted; defaulting; defaults

intransitive verb

1

: to fail to fulfill a contract, agreement, or duty: such as

a

: to fail to meet a financial obligation

default on a loan

b

law : to fail to appear in court

c

: to fail to compete in or to finish an appointed contest

also : to forfeit a contest by such failure

2

computers : to make a selection automatically in the absence of a choice made by the user

The program defaults to a standard font.

transitive verb

1

: to fail to perform, pay, or make good

default a loan

2

a

: forfeit

defaulted the game

b

: to exclude (a player or a team) from a contest by default

was defaulted from the tournament

defaulter noun

Phrases

in default of

: in the absence of

Synonyms

Noun

• negligence
• failure
• neglect

Examples of default in a Sentence

Noun

The defendant has made no appearance in the case and is in default.

You can enter your own settings or use the defaults.

Which font is the default in that computer program?

Verb

If the borrower defaults, the bank can take the house.

The program defaults to a standard font.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Golden Marie Owens, Ph.D. is a professor at the University of Washington whose research explores the sonic aesthetic that has become a default for digital assistants such as Siri and Alexa. —Timeka Tounsel, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

First, the ruling means that using injunctions as a default option to block Trump executive orders is effectively dead. —Scott Neuman, NPR, 27 June 2025

Verb

Run Focused Customer Interviews Don’t default to broad surveys. —Vidhi Agrawal, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Another 1 million could follow in August, with 2 million more expected to default in September. —Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English defaute, defaulte, from Anglo-French, from defaillir to be lacking, fail, from de- + faillir to fail

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing default

• in default

Rhymes for default

• asphalt
• assault
• basalt
• cobalt
• exalt
• gestalt
• alt
• fault
• gault
• halt
• malt
• sault

Kids Definition

default

1 of 2 noun

de·​fault di-ˈfȯlt 

1

: failure to take action

lost a great opportunity by default

a decision made by default, not by deciding

2

: failure to do something required (as make a payment or appear in court)

in default on a loan

lost a court case by default

3

: a selection to be made automatically according to a computer program when the user does not specify a choice

default

2 of 2 verb

: to fail to carry out a contract, obligation, or duty

defaulter noun

Legal Definition

default

noun

de·​fault di-ˈfȯlt, ˈdē-ˌfȯlt 

1

: failure to do something required by duty (as under a contract or by law): as

a

: failure to comply with the terms of a loan agreement or security agreement especially with regard to payment of the debt

b

in the civil law of Louisiana : a delay in performing under a contract that is recognized by the other party

Note: A party whose performance under a contract is delayed is not automatically in default. Rather, the law of Louisiana requires that the other party “put him or her in default” by a written or witnessed oral request for performance, by filing suit, or by invoking a specific provision in the contract. Moratory damages may be recoverable for loss caused by the delay.

2

: failure to defend against a claim in court (as by failing to file pleadings or to appear in court) see also default judgment at judgment sense 1a

default verb

defaulter noun

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French defalte, defaute lack, fault, failure to answer a summons, from defaillir to be lacking, fail, from de-, intensive prefix + faillir to fail