fault definition

1. (geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other
• examples: they built it right over a geological fault
• examples: he studied the faulting of the earth's crust
2. (electronics) equipment failure attributable to some defect in a circuit (loose connection or insulation failure or short circuit etc.)
• examples: it took much longer to find the fault than to fix it
3. responsibility for a bad situation or event
• examples: it was John's fault
4. (sports) a serve that is illegal (e.g., that lands outside the prescribed area)
• examples: he served too many double faults