tort

noun

ˈtȯrt 

: a wrongful act other than a breach of contract for which relief may be obtained in the form of damages or an injunction

Did you know?

Tort came into English straight from French many centuries ago, and it still looks a little odd. Its root meaning of "twisted" (as opposed to "straight") obviously came to mean "wrong" (as opposed to "right"). Every first-year law student takes a course in the important subject of torts. Torts include all the so-called "product-liability" cases, against manufacturers of cars, household products, children's toys, and so on. They also cover dog bites, slander and libel, and a huge variety of other very personal cases of injury, both mental and physical—Torts class is never dull. If you're sued for a tort and lose, you usually have to pay "damages"—that is, a sum of money—to the person who you wronged.

Examples of tort in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This extensive history translates into a deep understanding of tort law and the tactics used by insurance companies and opposing counsel. —Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025

The family sued in federal court, where judges ruled that even though one portion of the tort law allowed a lawsuit against federal law enforcement, another portion of the statute prevents such a lawsuit because of the discretion granted law enforcement officers. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025

Some in the current administration might also say that tort law, Supreme Court rulings, separation of powers or even the moral obligations of promises made don’t apply anymore, but all that must be subjects of another column. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 30 Mar. 2025

The government cannot be held liable for certain intentional torts, meaning the lawsuits could be dismissed altogether. —Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, injury, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin tortum, from Latin, neuter of tortus twisted, from past participle of torquēre

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tort

• bort
• corte
• court
• dort
• fort
• mort
• norte
• ort
• port
• porte
• quart
• short

Legal Definition

tort

noun

ˈtȯrt 

: a wrongful act other than a breach of contract that injures another and for which the law imposes civil liability : a violation of a duty (as to exercise due care) imposed by law as distinguished from contract for which damages or declaratory relief (as an injunction) may be obtained

also : a cause of action based on such an act

the court declined to recognize the tort

—National Law Journal

cannot sue in tort

compare crime, delict

Etymology

Anglo-French, wrongful or illegal act, from Old French, injury, from Medieval Latin tortum, from Latin, neuter of tortus twisted, from past participle of torquēre to twist