warranty

noun

war·​ran·​ty ˈwȯr-ən-tē 

ˈwär-

plural warranties

1

a

: a real covenant binding the grantor of an estate and the grantor's heirs to warrant and defend the title

b

: a collateral undertaking that a fact regarding the subject of a contract is or will be as it is expressly or by implication declared or promised to be

2

: something that authorizes, sanctions, supports, or justifies : warrant

3

: a usually written guarantee of the integrity of a product and of the maker's responsibility for the repair or replacement of defective parts

Synonyms

• bond
• contract
• covenant
• deal
• guarantee
• guaranty
• surety

Examples of warranty in a Sentence

The stereo came with a three-year warranty.

a one-year warranty for the refrigerator

Recent Examples on the Web

The handles are easy to grip and can be used for outstanding control, and the curler includes a lifetime warranty. —Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2025

However, unlike traditional dealerships, these auctions do not offer test drives or warranties, requiring buyers to conduct thorough research before placing a bid. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025

Some firm mattresses even come with lifetime warranties. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025

The company’s forecast includes a $1 billion reduction in material and warranty costs compared with last year, but not challenges tied to policies or tariffs from the new presidential administration , which have been a huge threat to automakers’ supply chains. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English warantie, from Anglo-French warantie, garantie, from warentir to warrant

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing warranty

• warranty deed

Kids Definition

warranty

noun

war·​ran·​ty ˈwȯr-ənt-ē 

ˈwär-

plural warranties

: a written statement guaranteeing the good condition of a product and stating the maker's responsibility for the repair or replacement of faulty parts

Legal Definition

warranty

noun

war·​ran·​ty ˈwȯr-ən-tē, ˈwär- 

plural warranties

1

: a promise in a deed that gives the grantee of an estate recourse (as through an action for damages) against the grantor and the grantor's heirs in case the grantee is evicted by someone holding a paramount title

called also covenant of warranty

see also special warranty deed and warranty deed at deed

2

a

: a promise in a contract (as for a sale or lease) which states that the subject of the contract is as represented (as in being free from defective workmanship) and which gives the warrantee recourse against the warrantor

a warranty against defects is implied by the sale

see also breach of warranty at breach sense 1a compare caveat emptor

Note: A warranty was originally considered to extend only to those parties having privity of contract (as the manufacturer and dealer of an automobile), but cases have held that a warranty also extends to the final consumer who does not contract directly with the manufacturer. Both express and implied warranties may be modified, limited, or even waived by agreement of the parties. Breach of a warranty generally does not constitute breach of the entire contract.

— express warranty

: a warranty that is created in a contract by a statement of fact (as a description) which is made about the object of the contract and which forms a basis of the bargain

— implied warranty

: a warranty that is not expressly stated but that is recognized or imposed by the law based on the nature of the transaction

— warranty of fitness

: a usually implied warranty that the property being sold is fit for the purpose for which the buyer is purchasing it

Note: Under the Uniform Commercial Code, a seller must know the purpose for which goods are being bought and that the buyer is relying on the seller's skill or judgment in order for a warranty of fitness to be implied.

— warranty of habitability

: a usually implied warranty in a residential lease that the leased premises will be habitable

Note: If a landlord breaches a warranty of habitability, a tenant may have such remedies as terminating the tenancy, recovering damages, or withholding rent. The warranty is based in many jurisdictions either on case law or statute.

— warranty of merchantability

: a usually implied warranty that the property being sold is merchantable (as by being of a quality that is generally acceptable in that line of trade)

Note: Under the Uniform Commercial Code, a warranty of merchantability is not implied unless the seller is a merchant with respect to the goods sold.

b

: a usually written guarantee of the integrity of a consumer product and of the maker's responsibility for the repair or replacement of defective parts see also Consumer Product Safety Act

3

: a statement made in an insurance policy by the insured that a fact relating to the subject of the insurance or the risk exists or will exist or that some related act has been done or will be done compare representation

Note: A warranty in an insurance policy must be true or be fulfilled in order for the policy to be valid.

— affirmative warranty

: a warranty stating that a fact or condition is currently true

— promissory warranty

: a warranty stating that a fact or condition is and will remain true

Etymology

modification (influenced by warrant) of Anglo-French garantie, from garantir to protect, warrant