1
a
: omission of occurrence or performance
b(1)
: a state of inability to perform a normal function
kidney failure
compare heart failure
(2)
: an abrupt cessation of normal functioning
a power failure
c
: a fracturing or giving way under stress
structural failure
2
a
: lack of success
b
: a failing in business : bankruptcy
He was trying to rescue the company from failure.
3
a
: a falling short : deficiency
a crop failure
b
4
: one that has failed
He felt like a failure when he wasn't accepted into law school.
Examples of failure in a Sentence
He became discouraged by his repeated failures in business.
He was often crippled by his fear of failure.
The accident was caused by engine failure.
The patient was suffering from heart failure.
The accident was caused by a failure to use proper procedures.
She was criticized for failure to follow directions.
The drought caused crop failure.
He felt like a failure when he wasn't accepted into law school.
The scheme was a complete failure.
Recent Examples on the Web
Employers can create weekly forums where employees can share both AI successes and failures without judgment, then reallocate budgets away from underperforming AI experiments to pilots that are showing success.
—
Feon Ang, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
One form Asks whether the tree appears To exhibit a history of failures.
—Makshya Tolbert, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
The notion of gremlins was first conceived during the 1920s when mechanical failures in Royal Air Force aircraft were jokingly blamed on the small monsters.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
This spring, following a series of equipment failures at Newark Liberty International Airport's control facility, some air traffic control operators took time off to recover from the stress, leading to a spike in delays and cancellations at that airport.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Feon Ang, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
One form Asks whether the tree appears To exhibit a history of failures.
—Makshya Tolbert, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
The notion of gremlins was first conceived during the 1920s when mechanical failures in Royal Air Force aircraft were jokingly blamed on the small monsters.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
This spring, following a series of equipment failures at Newark Liberty International Airport's control facility, some air traffic control operators took time off to recover from the stress, leading to a spike in delays and cancellations at that airport.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/failure. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
failure
noun
fail·ure
ˈfā(ə)l-yər 
1
a
: a failing to do or perform
failure to pass the test
b
: neglect of an assigned or expected action
failure to pay on time
c
: inability to perform a normal function well enough
heart failure
2
a
: a lack of success
failure in the campaign
b
: bankruptcy
a business failure
3
a
: a falling short : deficiency
crop failure
b
: a breaking down
a failure of memory
4
: one that has failed
the scheme was a complete failure
Medical Definition
failure
noun
fail·ure
ˈfā(ə)l-yər
: a state of inability to perform a vital function
acute renal failure
respiratory failure
see heart failure
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