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)

• effort
• assiduity
• persistence
• industry
• industriousness
• assiduousness
• attentiveness
• attention

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

Stellar Solutions continues to support the fund’s diligence process. —Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025

Evidently, the diligence just wasn’t there for the Fish through most of the night — but a spark in the bottom of the ninth injected some long-overdue life into the lineup. —Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025

But whether these standards are followed or enforced depends on local law and property owner diligence. —Natalie Discala, Parents, 16 Apr. 2025

Your diligence in maintaining these connections is likely to yield significant advantages over the course of your career. —Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 17 June 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