liability

noun

li·​a·​bil·​i·​ty ˌlī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

plural liabilities

1

a

: the quality or state of being liable

was cleared of liability for the accident

b

: probability

2

: something for which one is liable

especially : pecuniary obligation : debt

—usually used in plural

business assets and liabilities

3

: one that acts as a disadvantage : drawback

This scandal makes the candidate a liability for the party.

Synonyms

• disadvantage
• handicap

Examples of liability in a Sentence

The company is trying to limit its liability in this case.

though his small size is a liability as a football player, he makes up for it with speed

Recent Examples on the Web

The green card must be relinquished according to specific procedures to escape U.S. tax liability. —Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025

Despite progress in recent years, Illinois still faces more than $140 billion in unfunded pension liabilities. —Scott Cohn, CNBC, 12 July 2025

Some projects, like installing a wood stove, may increase liability or risk. —Rachel Barber, USA Today, 11 July 2025

Without it, families are more vulnerable to probate court delays, exorbitant legal fees, avoidable tax liabilities, and the state determining the distribution of our assets against our wishes. —Jehan Crump‑gibson, Essence, 10 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing liability

• limited liability
• limited liability partnership
• strict liability

Rhymes for liability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility

Kids Definition

liability

noun

li·​a·​bil·​i·​ty ˌlī-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural liabilities

1

: the state of being liable

liability for his debts

liability to disease

2

plural : that for which a person is liable : debts

3

: something that works as a disadvantage : drawback

Legal Definition

liability

noun

li·​a·​bil·​i·​ty ˌlī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

plural liabilities

1

: the quality or state of being liable

2

: something for which one is liable: as

a

: a financial obligation : debt

tax liability

the bonds are liabilities

compare asset

— contingent liability

: an amount that may or may not be owed depending on the outcome of a contingency (as a cosigner's default on a loan)

— fixed liability

: a liability (as a bond or mortgage) that does not mature for at least one year from the date incurred or from a given date

b

: accountability and responsibility to another enforceable by civil remedies or criminal sanctions

liability for injuries caused by their product

— absolute liability

: strict liability in this entry

— alternative liability

: joint liability imposed on multiple tortfeasors when there are simultaneous tortious acts (as defective manufacture of parts of a wheel by different manufacturers) and uncertainty as to which act was the proximate cause of an injury compare concert of action sense 1

— civil liability

: liability imposed under civil laws and civil process as distinguished from criminal laws

also : the state of being subject to civil sanctions (as restitution or damages)

the acquittal does not relieve the corporation of civil liability for its fraud

see also tort

Note: Civil liability is created by a legal theory or principle that places a duty or obligation (as to use due care) on the defendant.

— corporate liability

: liability of a corporation that is enforced by sanctions imposed against the corporation itself see also pierce

— criminal liability

: liability imposed under criminal laws and by means of criminal prosecution

also : the state of being subject to criminal sanctions

— enterprise liability

: liability imposed on a business enterprise especially for on-the-job injuries to employees

specifically : liability imposed on defendants who are all members of an industry that has produced a defective product when the specific manufacturer cannot be identified

— joint and several liability

: joint liability imposed on joint tortfeasors that allows enforcement of the entire judgment against any one of the tortfeasors

Note: In some jurisdictions, joint and several liability remains despite adoption of comparative fault, and in others it has been eliminated by comparative fault.

— joint liability

: liability that is shared (as by co-owners)

specifically : liability for a tort that is imposed on joint tortfeasors when they have acted in concert, owe the same duty to the plaintiff, have a legal relationship, or otherwise together have caused an injury to the plaintiff and that allows contribution or indemnity between the joint tortfeasors

— liability in solido

: solidary liability in this entry

— liability without fault

: strict liability in this entry

— personal liability

: liability imposed against an individual especially for injuries that occur on the individual's property or as a result of the individual's activities

— premises liability

: liability arising from injuries or losses occurring on one's premises

— primary liability

: liability imposed directly on a person because of his or her own negligence, default, or legal undertaking

— products liability

: liability imposed on a manufacturer or seller for a defective and unreasonably dangerous product

specifically : strict liability for a defective product that does not require the plaintiff to have privity of contract with the seller or manufacturer

called also product liability

Note: A plaintiff usually must show that a defective product was the proximate cause of injuries, was defective at the time of purchase, and was used for its intended purpose in order to establish a products liability claim.

— secondary liability

: vicarious liability in this entry

: liability (as of a guarantor) that arises from a legal obligation owed to an injured party to pay damages for another's failure to perform or negligent act

— several liability

: liability assumed or imposed on an individual separate from others

— solidary liability

in the civil law of Louisiana : liability that is shared by obligors and that makes any one obligor liable for the entire obligation to the obligee but also apportions the liability among the obligors so that contribution is allowed

specifically : such liability for a tort that is imposed on joint tortfeasors see also solidary obligation at obligation

— strict liability

: liability that is imposed without a finding of fault (as negligence or intent)

— vicarious liability

: liability that is imposed for another's acts because of imputed or constructive fault (as negligence) see also respondeat superior

3

: liability insurance