- (v.t.) To call a defendant or other party whose duty it is to be present in court, and make entry of his default, if he fails to appear; to enter a default against.
- (v.t.) To fail to perform or pay; to be guilty of neglect of; to omit; as, to default a dividend.
- (n.) Fault; offense; ill deed; wrong act; failure in virtue or wisdom.
- (n.) A failing or failure; omission of that which ought to be done; neglect to do what duty or law requires; as, this evil has happened through the governor's default.
- (v.i.) To fail in fulfilling a contract, agreement or duty.
- (v.i.) To fail in duty; to offend.
- (v.t.) To leave out of account; to omit.
- (v.i.) To fail to appear in court; to let a case go by default.
- (n.) A neglect of or failure to take, some step necessary to secure the benefit of law, as a failure to appear in court at a day assigned, especially of the defendant in a suit when called to make answer; also of jurors, witnesses, etc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). default. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/default/definitions/1995292 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "default" http://smartdefine.org/default/definitions/1995292 (accessed September 22, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, default, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/default/definitions/1995292>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "default" 27 May 2011. Web. 22 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/default/definitions/1995292> |