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
He was charged with one count of driving while intoxicated and two citations, one for running a stop sign and one for failure to keep in lane.
—
Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 22 June 2024
Encourage teams to push boundaries, embracing failure as a badge of honor.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2024
After a brief break this morning, the hearing resumed with defense lawyer John Bash unsuccessfully pitching that the January 2024 indictment against Baldwin should be tossed for failure to state a criminal offense.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 June 2024
This includes facing external economic pressures such as an indemnity to France for recognition as a state, and internal failures of the elite economic and political classes to embrace democratic principles.
—Websder Corneille, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for failure 
Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 22 June 2024
Encourage teams to push boundaries, embracing failure as a badge of honor.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2024
After a brief break this morning, the hearing resumed with defense lawyer John Bash unsuccessfully pitching that the January 2024 indictment against Baldwin should be tossed for failure to state a criminal offense.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 June 2024
This includes facing external economic pressures such as an indemnity to France for recognition as a state, and internal failures of the elite economic and political classes to embrace democratic principles.
—Websder Corneille, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for failure
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'failure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near failure
Cite this Entry
“Failure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/failure. Accessed 1 Jul. 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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