fairness

noun

fair·​ness ˈfer-nəs How to pronounce fairness (audio)
: the quality or state of being fair
especially : fair or impartial treatment : lack of favoritism toward one side or another
This is the real Ponzi scheme that does injury to the American promise of fairnessJesse Jackson
The rules reflect the principles of procedural due process and fundamental fairness prescribed by the Constitution … James O. Freedman
… partisan gerrymandering has got so out of hand that it was up to the courts to restore a measure of fairness. Jeffrey Toobin
We are living in the harsh world invented by a handful of corporate raiders whose values are completely foreign to the fairness and moderation that had so long served as the proper foundation of American success and the American dream. Doris Haddock
He did poorly, but in (all) fairness [=to be fair to him], he was tired.

Examples of fairness in a Sentence

a city of incomparable fairness, Venice has enchanted travelers for centuries fairness was certainly uppermost in the elderly woman's mind as she made arrangements for dividing the family heirlooms among her many grandchildren
Recent Examples on the Web Trust isn’t built overnight, but it can be nurtured through consistent behavior, reliability and fairness. Lynda Silsbee, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 As the high-profile 2024 campaign cycle approaches its end, voters may have concerns about the sanctity and fairness of our elections. Deidre Henderson, National Review, 3 Oct. 2024 The inability to land a superstar — and, in fairness, Zaidi did land Carlos Correa before the Giants called off the deal because of concerns raised by a physical examination — canceled out one of Zaidi’s strengths. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2024 Known for their charm and diplomatic demeanor, people with Libra placements strive for fairness and peace. Athena Sobhan, People.com, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fairness 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fairness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fairness was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near fairness

Cite this Entry

“Fairness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fairness. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

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