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
That has received sharp rebuke from California leaders and water experts who point out that Los Angeles’ water supply is flush after two rainy years, and statewide water supply questions have no relationship to municipal water system failures during the Palisades fire.
—
Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 25 Jan. 2025
For example, in the automotive industry, AI can monitor the health of assembly line robots, predicting and preventing failures that could halt production.
—Matthew Putman, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Paradise’s failure, one that’s too common in the streaming era, is a failure of attention to detail.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
The first crisis was marked by a slew of failures among banks and thrifts in the early 1980s.
—Russ Wiles, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for failure 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 25 Jan. 2025
For example, in the automotive industry, AI can monitor the health of assembly line robots, predicting and preventing failures that could halt production.
—Matthew Putman, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Paradise’s failure, one that’s too common in the streaming era, is a failure of attention to detail.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
The first crisis was marked by a slew of failures among banks and thrifts in the early 1980s.
—Russ Wiles, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
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 30 Jan. 2025.
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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