liability

[ lahy-uh-bil-i-tee ]
/ ˌlaɪ əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun, plural li·a·bil·i·ties.

liabilities,
  1. moneys owed; debts or pecuniary obligations (opposed to assets).
  2. Accounting. liabilities as detailed on a balance sheet, especially in relation to assets and capital.
something disadvantageous: His lack of education is his biggest liability.
Also li·a·ble·ness. the state or quality of being liable: liability to disease.

Origin of liability

First recorded in 1785–95; li(able) + -ability

OTHER WORDS FROM liability

non·li·a·bil·i·ty, noun, plural non·li·a·bil·i·ties. pre·li·a·bil·i·ty, noun, plural pre·li·a·bil·i·ties.

Example sentences from the Web for liabilities

British Dictionary definitions for liabilities (1 of 2)

liabilities
/ (ˌlaɪəˈbɪlɪtɪz) /

pl n

accounting business obligations incurred but not discharged and entered as claims on the assets shown on the balance sheet Compare assets (def. 1)

British Dictionary definitions for liabilities (2 of 2)

liability
/ (ˌlaɪəˈbɪlɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the state of being liable
a financial obligation
a hindrance or disadvantage
likelihood or probability

Cultural definitions for liabilities

liability

An obligation or debt.