: a fracture in the crust of a planet (such as the earth) or moon accompanied by a displacement of one side of the fracture with respect to the other usually in a direction parallel to the fracture
Frequent earthquakes have occurred along the San Andreas Fault.
fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit.
a writer of many virtues and few faults
failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character.
being late is a failing of mine
frailty implies a general or chronic proneness to yield to temptation.
human frailties
foible applies to a harmless or endearing weakness or idiosyncrasy.
an eccentric's charming foibles
vice can be a general term for any imperfection or weakness, but it often suggests violation of a moral code or the giving of offense to the moral sensibilities of others.
compulsive gambling was his vice
Examples of fault in a Sentence
Noun
Lack of courage is his worst fault.
If the book has a fault, it's that it's too long.
It's your own fault you missed that bus.
Through no fault of his own, he won't be able to attend the meeting.
She committed too many faults to win the match. Verb
The truck driver was faulted for the accident.
Many have faulted her for not acting sooner.
I can't fault him for trying to protect his family.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Under the terms of the settlement, which was approved by the city council Tuesday, the city and police department admit no fault and each side will cover their own legal fees.—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 18 June 2024 Robinson also reportedly suggested former NFL player Ray Rice's fiancée was at fault for a physical alteration that received viral attention after a video of Rice dragging her out of an elevator came out.—Leigh Ann Caldwell, Washington Post, 18 June 2024
Verb
In a statement to ABC News, the Trump campaign touted his record on child care and faulted Biden for the price spike.—Max Zahn, ABC News, 6 June 2024 The plaintiffs are asking for a judge to declare the Purina plant a nuisance for failing to properly maintain and operate the facility so that odors are controlled, and to fault the company for negligence.—Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 29 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for fault
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fault.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English faute, falte, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *fallita, from feminine of fallitus, past participle of Latin fallere to deceive, disappoint
Note:
Sometimes when fault is used in legal contexts it includes negligence, sometimes it is considered synonymous with negligence, and sometimes it is distinguished from negligence. Fault and negligence are the usual bases for liability in the law of torts.
2
: responsibility for an act or omission that causes damage or injury to another
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