failure definition

1. an act that fails
• examples: his failure to pass the test
2. an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose
• examples: the surprise party was a complete failure
3. lack of success
• examples: he felt that his entire life had been a failure
• examples: that year there was a crop failure
4. a person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently
5. an unexpected omission
• examples: he resented my failure to return his call
• examples: the mechanic's failure to check the brakes
6. loss of ability to function normally
• examples: kidney failure