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negligence
noun
Synonyms
Examples of negligence in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'negligence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Middle English necligence, neglicence, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin neglegentia, neclegentia, from neglegent-, neglegens, necligens negligent + -ia -ia entry 1
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing negligence
Dictionary Entries Near negligence
Cite this Entry
“Negligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/negligence. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
Kids Definition
negligence
nounLegal Definition
negligence
nouncalled also ordinary negligence, simple negligence
compare abuse sense 2, due care, intentNote: Negligence may render one civilly and sometimes criminally liable for resulting injuries.
Note: The great majority of states have replaced the doctrine of contributory negligence with that of comparative negligence.
called also culpable negligence
compare gross negligence in this entryNote: Recovery may be had on a theory of negligence per se when the harm resulting from the violation is the type that the statute is designed to prevent, the plaintiff is a member of the class of persons sought to be protected by the statute, and the violation is the proximate cause of the plaintiff's injury.
Note: The category of slight negligence is used much less frequently than ordinary negligence and gross negligence, the other members of a three-level classification that was formerly prevalent.
More from Merriam-Webster on negligence
Nglish: Translation of negligence for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of negligence for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about negligence
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