Webster's English Dictionary

Enter the word to look up:

failure

fail.ure \'fa-(*)l-y*r\ n [alter. of earlier failer, fr. AF, fr. OF faillir 
   to fail] 1a: omission of occurrence or performance; specif : a failing to 
   pe rform a duty or expected action 1b: a state of inability to perform a 
   normal function {heart ~}  2a: lack of success  2b: a failing in business : 
   BANKRUPTCY  3a: a falling short : DEFICIENCY  3b: DETERIORATION, DECAY  4: 
   one that has failed