1
a
: omission of occurrence or performance
b(1)
: a state of inability to perform a normal function
kidney failure
compare heart failure
(2)
: an abrupt cessation of normal functioning
a power failure
c
: a fracturing or giving way under stress
structural failure
2
a
: lack of success
b
: a failing in business : bankruptcy
He was trying to rescue the company from failure.
3
a
: a falling short : deficiency
a crop failure
b
4
: one that has failed
He felt like a failure when he wasn't accepted into law school.
Synonyms
Examples of failure in a Sentence
He became discouraged by his repeated failures in business.
He was often crippled by his fear of failure.
The accident was caused by engine failure.
The patient was suffering from heart failure.
The accident was caused by a failure to use proper procedures.
She was criticized for failure to follow directions.
The drought caused crop failure.
He felt like a failure when he wasn't accepted into law school.
The scheme was a complete failure.
Recent Examples on the Web
The other factor is the failure of the Biden administration to put an end to the Israeli wars that caused the deaths of more than 43,000 Palestinians by continuing supplies of weapons.
—
Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
The public had grown frustrated with democracy’s failure to deliver economic dividends and saw Saied as someone who would break through the gridlock and stand up to corruption within the rest of the political class.
—Sarah E. Yerkes, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
The failures of the paternalistic War on Poverty led to more punitive forms of disciplining Black men.
—Ben Zdencanovic, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
Characteristically, once she was married, Stewart tackled every ambition with ferocious discipline and took each failure as a personal crisis.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for failure 
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Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
The public had grown frustrated with democracy’s failure to deliver economic dividends and saw Saied as someone who would break through the gridlock and stand up to corruption within the rest of the political class.
—Sarah E. Yerkes, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
The failures of the paternalistic War on Poverty led to more punitive forms of disciplining Black men.
—Ben Zdencanovic, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
Characteristically, once she was married, Stewart tackled every ambition with ferocious discipline and took each failure as a personal crisis.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for failure
Dictionary Entries Near failure
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/failure. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
failure
noun
fail·ure
ˈfā(ə)l-yər 
1
a
: a failing to do or perform
failure to pass the test
b
: neglect of an assigned or expected action
failure to pay on time
c
: inability to perform a normal function well enough
heart failure
2
a
: a lack of success
failure in the campaign
b
: bankruptcy
a business failure
3
a
: a falling short : deficiency
crop failure
b
: a breaking down
a failure of memory
4
: one that has failed
the scheme was a complete failure
Medical Definition
failure
noun
fail·ure
ˈfā(ə)l-yər
: a state of inability to perform a vital function
acute renal failure
respiratory failure
see heart failure
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