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
Sometimes, this involves social engineering techniques that encourage people to compromise their own systems, but the root cause is often simple human error or a failure to implement best practices within increasingly complex and fragmented database estates.
—
Jakub Lamik, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
But the glow of success, and even more so the pall of failure, is always shared.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
He was also sentenced for a conviction of failure to appear in connection with his 2022 escape from house arrest that sparked an international manhunt.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
The launch was the first since a California Starlink launch that ended up with a second-stage failure that grounded the Falcon 9.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for failure
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Jakub Lamik, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
But the glow of success, and even more so the pall of failure, is always shared.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
He was also sentenced for a conviction of failure to appear in connection with his 2022 escape from house arrest that sparked an international manhunt.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
The launch was the first since a California Starlink launch that ended up with a second-stage failure that grounded the Falcon 9.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 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 29 Jun. 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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