diligence

1 of 2

noun (1)

dil·​i·​gence ˈdi-lə-jən(t)s 

1

a

: steady, earnest, and energetic effort : devoted and painstaking work and application to accomplish an undertaking : assiduity

showed great diligence in tracking down the story

He had earned universal respect for his integrity, fairness, and diligence.

—John L. Sanders

b

obsolete : speed, haste

Go, hence with diligence!

—Shakespeare

2

law : the attention and care legally expected or required of a person (such as a party to a contract) see also due diligence

diligence

2 of 2

noun (2)

di·​li·​gence ˈdi-lə-ˌzhäⁿs  ˈdi-lə-jən(t)s 

: stagecoach

The railway had driven coach companies out of business …. Once, the journey had taken three days by diligence.

—Graham Robb

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• assiduity
• assiduousness
• industriousness
• industry
• sedulity
• sedulousness

Examples of diligence in a Sentence

Noun (1)

through the diligence and ingenuity of a single detective, the gang's ringleader was finally caught

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Compliance with all three business judgment rule requirements (acting in good faith, in the HOA’s best interests and with reasonable diligence/inquiry) is an essential protection for volunteer leaders. —Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2024

This foundation taught them both the significance of timing, grace, diligence, physical confidence and the necessity of trusting those around you and collaborating with the best. —William Earl, Variety, 14 May 2024

The team’s deep expertise and diligence in the competitive landscape allow clients to develop strategies for optimal outcomes. —Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 12 May 2024

Their story is accompanied by a trove of maps, drawings and photos (thanks to the diligence of photo editor J. Eric Lynxwiler) that suggest the area’s cultural vibrancy long before its industrialization. —Nick Owchar, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024

Budgeting And Tracking Expenses George Washington’s diligence in record-keeping and budgeting is well-documented. —True Tamplin, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024

What sets them apart is the amount of craft, care, and diligence put into their products. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Bill edited manuscripts in his semi-retirement and applied his intense diligence to one unwieldy book after another. —Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2024

To be a woman of color, to be a woman with financial limitations, there’s a hustle, a drive, a diligence that’s like no other. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin diligentia, from diligent-, diligens — see diligent

Noun (2)

French, literally, haste, from Middle French, persevering application

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

1742, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing diligence

• due diligence

Kids Definition

diligence

noun

dil·​i·​gence

ˈdil-ə-jən(t)s

: careful and continued work : industry

Legal Definition

diligence

noun

dil·​i·​gence ˈdi-lə-jəns 

: earnest and persistent application of effort especially as required by law

also : care sense 1 see also due diligence