1
: failure to do something required by duty or law : neglect
2
archaic
: fault
3
economics
: a failure to pay financial debts
was in default on her loan
mortgage defaults
4
a
law
: failure to appear at the required time in a legal proceeding
The defendant is in default.
b
: failure to compete in or to finish an appointed contest
lost the game by default
5
a
: a selection made usually automatically or without active consideration due to lack of a viable alternative
remained the club's president by default
the default candidate
b
computers
: a selection automatically used by a program in the absence of a choice made by the user
using the default settings
defaulted; defaulting; defaults
1
: to fail to fulfill a contract, agreement, or duty: such as
a
: to fail to meet a financial obligation
default on a loan
b
law
: to fail to appear in court
c
: to fail to compete in or to finish an appointed contest
also
: to forfeit a contest by such failure
2
computers
: to make a selection automatically in the absence of a choice made by the user
The program defaults to a standard font.
1
: to fail to perform, pay, or make good
default a loan
2
a
: forfeit
defaulted the game
b
: to exclude (a player or a team) from a contest by default
was defaulted from the tournament
defaulter
noun
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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