force majeure

[ French fawrs ma-zhœr ]
/ French fɔrs maˈʒœr /

noun, plural forces majeures [French fawrs ma-zhœr] /French fɔrs maˈʒœr/. Law.

an unexpected and disruptive event that may operate to excuse a party from a contract.

Origin of force majeure

1880–85; < French: literally, superior force

British Dictionary definitions for force majeure

force majeure
/ (ˈfɔːs mæˈʒɜː, -ˈdʒʊə) /

noun

law irresistible force or compulsion such as will excuse a party from performing his or her part of a contract

Word Origin for force majeure

from French: superior force