externality

noun ex·ter·nal·i·ty \ ˌek-ˌstər-ˈna-lə-tē \

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

Definition of externality

plural externalities

1 : the quality or state of being external or externalized

2 : something that is external

3 : a secondary or unintended consequence

pollution and other externalities of manufacturing

Recent Examples of externality from the Web

But on a macro level, the NBA is an environment largely shaped by externalities, an aggregate sum of hundreds of cases of individual self-interest and their exponents.

— david murphy, Philly.com, "How LeBron James' decision may change Sixers' Star Hunt approach | David Murphy," 2 July 2018
Memphis’ average tuition is about $9,700 a year, not including externalities.

— bradford betz, Fox News, "University of Memphis says children, spouses of fallen service members will no longer pay tuition," 29 May 2018
But carbon offsets don’t erase externalities like vehicular congestion or particulate pollution, and various studies have revealed that ride-hailing is actually increasing vehicle-miles traveled in cities.

— alissa walker, Curbed, "Lyft rides are now carbon-neutral—what does that mean for you?," 24 Apr. 2018
No company’s main source of profit can be described with a straight face as a negative externality.

— alex shephard, The New Republic, "Facebook’s Innocence Project," 10 Apr. 2018
Moreover, some policies are not as susceptible to externalities.

— joseph blocher, Vox, "A gun debate compromise: let cities and rural areas pass different laws," 24 Mar. 2018
This externality alone could wipe out a range of the benefits that bitcoin advocates imagine could result from the use of cryptocurrencies.

— alexis c. madrigal, The Atlantic, "Bitcoin Mining Turns Electricity Into Money," 12 Mar. 2018
Economists and urban planners should rejoice because AVs mean that, for the first time, the unwelcome externalities associated with cars can be fully priced in.

— The Economist, "Self-driving cars offer huge benefits—but have a dark side," 1 Mar. 2018
Our society is horrible at accounting for long-term externalities.

— phillip molnar, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Should the state gas tax be repealed?," 23 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'externality.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of externality

1673

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Learn More about externality

See words that rhyme with externality

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up externality? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

externality

Definition of externality

Recent Examples of externality from the Web

First Known Use of externality

Learn More about externality

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

volatile

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Banana Republic': A History

The Many Plurals of 'Octopus'

Words We're Watching: 'Low-key'

The Difference Between Dependent and Independent Clauses

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

The Eponym Quiz

Semantic Drift Quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Citation

Trending: Brennan: Trump's Claims are 'Hogwash'

'Banana Republic': A History

The Eponym Quiz

Come Back Here With That: 10 Fun Words for Stealing

Ghost Word

externality

Definition of externality

Recent Examples of externality from the Web

First Known Use of externality

Learn More about externality

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Trending: Brennan: Trump's Claims are 'Hogwash'

'Banana Republic': A History

The Eponym Quiz

Come Back Here With That: 10 Fun Words for Stealing

Ghost Word