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 liability

British Dictionary definitions for liability

liability
/ (ˌlaɪəˈbɪlɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

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

Cultural definitions for liability

liability

An obligation or debt.