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negligence

noun
neg·​li·​gence | \ ˈne-gli-jÉ™n(t)s How to pronounce negligence (audio) \

Definition of negligence

1a : the quality or state of being negligent
b : failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances … his naivete and negligence had been the source of his problems.— Michael Leahy
2 : an act or instance of being negligent regretted his past negligences
Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about negligence

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Examples of negligence in a Sentence

The company was charged with negligence in the manufacturing of the defective tires. exhibiting his usual negligence, he failed to set the emergency brake, and the car rolled down the steep hill and crashed into the telephone pole

Recent Examples on the Web

 Pena, who has sued San Diego County multiple times alleging negligence over inmate deaths or injuries, said that lack of staffing at the Central Jail too often prompts lockdowns that stretch for two or three days. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "San Diego jail inmate was bitten in the face," 11 Aug. 2019 Six construction workers who were injured when a floor of a north Houston high-rise collapsed this week have filed a lawsuit, seeking damages for their injuries and claiming negligence by the companies involved in the project. — Danny Hermosillo, Houston Chronicle, "Workers injured in recent high-rise construction collapse suing Holiday Inn, construction firm," 31 July 2019 Matthew Barbee and Sherrie Utley-Barbee are suing Russ Auto Inc. and Darby McBride alleging negligence. — oregonlive.com, "Former Tigard cop injured in crash sues driver, driver’s ex-employer for $23.6 million," 28 June 2019 In 1993, former Baltimore Colt Stan White sought court intervention to force Dulaney High School to name his daughter co-valedictorian, claiming that negligence by Baltimore County school leaders allowed her to be edged out by another student. — Talia Richman, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland districts join national trend in eliminating class rank," 27 June 2019 But Kaczynski’s twin brother, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the current leader of Poland’s nationalist ruling Law and Justice party, has blamed the crash on negligence by Tusk’s government, which was critical of his brother, the president. — Monika Acislowska, BostonGlobe.com, "Polish court: Ex-aide negligent in presidential plane crash," 13 June 2019 Mitich’s attorney, James Young with Morgan & Morgan in Jacksonville, said the lawsuit alleges negligence. — Fox News, "Jacksonville Landing shooting survivor tells story, files lawsuit," 30 Aug. 2018 Kyron Hinton argues the actions of the troopers showed negligence by their employer, the Department of Public Safety, according to his legal action filed with the state Industrial Commission. — Jonathan Drew, The Seattle Times, "Man sues state over troopers’ role in videotaped beating," 24 July 2018 The family's lawsuit initially alleged ordinary negligence, but a trial court dismissed that claim, according to the Michigan Supreme Court's order. — The Washington Post, NOLA.com, "Grandmother died after surgeons mistakenly drilled her skull; family won't get a penny," 17 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'negligence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of negligence

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for negligence

Middle English necligence, neglicence, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin neglegentia, neclegentia, from neglegent-, neglegens, necligens negligent + -ia -ia entry 1

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More Definitions for negligence

negligence

noun
How to pronounce negligence (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of negligence

formal : failure to take the care that a responsible person usually takes : lack of normal care or attention

See the full definition for negligence in the English Language Learners Dictionary

negligence

noun
neg·​li·​gence | \ ˈne-glÉ™-jÉ™ns How to pronounce negligence (audio) \

Kids Definition of negligence

: failure to take proper or normal care of something or someone

negligence

noun
neg·​li·​gence | \ ˈne-gli-jÉ™ns How to pronounce negligence (audio) \

Legal Definition of negligence

: failure to exercise the degree of care expected of a person of ordinary prudence in like circumstances in protecting others from a foreseeable and unreasonable risk of harm in a particular situation also : conduct that reflects this failure

— called also ordinary negligence, simple negligence

— compare abuse sense 2, due care, intent

Note: Negligence may render one civilly and sometimes criminally liable for resulting injuries.

— collateral negligence
: negligence on the part of an independent contractor that is not connected with a manner of working or risk ordinarily associated with particular work and for which the employer of the contractor is not liable
— comparative negligence \ kÉ™m-​ˈpar-​É™-​tiv-​ \
1a : negligence of one among multiple parties involved in an injury that is measured (as in percentages) according to the degree of its contribution to the injury the comparative negligence of the plaintiff
b : a doctrine, rule, or method of apportioning liability and damages in tort law: negligence and damages are determined by reference to the proportionate fault of the plaintiff and defendant with the negligence of the plaintiff not constituting an absolute bar to recovery from the defendant — compare contributory negligence in this entry

Note: The great majority of states have replaced the doctrine of contributory negligence with that of comparative negligence.

2 : an affirmative defense alleging comparative negligence by the plaintiff
— contributory negligence
1 : negligence on the part of a plaintiff that contributed to the injury at issue
2 : a now largely abolished doctrine in tort law: negligence on the part of a plaintiff that contributed to the injury at issue will bar recovery from the defendant also : an affirmative defense based on this doctrine
— criminal negligence
: a gross deviation from the standard of care expected of a reasonable person that is manifest in a failure to protect others from a risk (as of death) deriving from one's conduct and that renders one criminally liable

— called also culpable negligence

— compare gross negligence in this entry
— gross negligence
: negligence that is marked by conduct that presents an unreasonably high degree of risk to others and by a failure to exercise even the slightest care in protecting them from it and that is sometimes associated with conscious and willful indifference to their rights — see also recklessness — compare criminal negligence in this entry

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