negligence

[ neg-li-juh ns ]
/ ˈnɛg lɪ dʒəns /

noun

the quality, fact, or result of being negligent; neglect: negligence in discharging one's responsibilities.
an instance of being negligent: a downfall brought about by many negligences.
Law. the failure to exercise that degree of care that, in the circumstances, the law requires for the protection of other persons or those interests of other persons that may be injuriously affected by the want of such care.

adjective

Law. pertaining to or involving a civil action for compensation for damages filed by a person who claims to have suffered an injury or loss in an accident caused by another's negligence: a negligence suit; a large negligence award.

Origin of negligence

1300–50; Middle English, variant of necligence < Latin necligentia. See negligent, -ence

SYNONYMS FOR negligence

1 See neglect.

OTHER WORDS FROM negligence

non·neg·li·gence, noun o·ver·neg·li·gence, noun pre·neg·li·gence, noun su·per·neg·li·gence, noun

Example sentences from the Web for negligence

British Dictionary definitions for negligence

negligence
/ (ˈnɛɡlɪdʒəns) /

noun

the state or quality of being negligent
a negligent act
law a civil wrong whereby a person or party is in breach of a legal duty of care to another which results in loss or injury to the claimant