diligence

1 of 2

noun (1)

dil·​i·​gence ˈdi-lə-jən(t)s How to pronounce diligence (audio)
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)

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for diligence

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of diligence was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diligence. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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 How to pronounce diligence (audio)
: earnest and persistent application of effort especially as required by law
also : care sense 1 see also due diligence

More from Merriam-Webster on diligence

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