liability
noun
li·a·bil·i·ty ˌlī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
plural liabilities
Examples of liability in a Sentence
The company is trying to limit its liability in this case. though his small size is a liability as a football player, he makes up for it with speed
Recent Examples on the Web
The ensuing bust caused massive unfunded pension liabilities, as funding levels fell far below those halcyon days. —
Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026 SpaceX said that the xAI allegations (and investigations in Brazil, Britain, California, Canada, France…) could give rise to additional lawsuits, liability, and government action that would harm the parent company’s opportunities in certain markets. —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026 According to a court filing, no admission of liability was made. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026 The jury will weigh in during the liability phase only, and its verdict will be advisory, which means Gonzalez Rogers will make the final decision in both sections of the trial. —Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for liability
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026 SpaceX said that the xAI allegations (and investigations in Brazil, Britain, California, Canada, France…) could give rise to additional lawsuits, liability, and government action that would harm the parent company’s opportunities in certain markets. —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026 According to a court filing, no admission of liability was made. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026 The jury will weigh in during the liability phase only, and its verdict will be advisory, which means Gonzalez Rogers will make the final decision in both sections of the trial. —Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for liability
Cite this Entry
“Liability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/liability. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
liability
noun
li·a·bil·i·ty ˌlī-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural liabilities
Legal Definition
liability
noun
li·a·bil·i·ty ˌlī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē
plural liabilities
1
: the quality or state of being liable
2
: something for which one is liable: as
a
: a financial obligation : debt
tax liability
the bonds are liabilities
compare asset
— contingent liability
: an amount that may or may not be owed depending on the outcome of a contingency (as a cosigner's default on a loan)
— fixed liability
: a liability (as a bond or mortgage) that does not mature for at least one year from the date incurred or from a given date
b
: accountability and responsibility to another enforceable by civil remedies or criminal sanctions
liability for injuries caused by their product
— absolute liability
: strict liability in this entry
— alternative liability
: joint liability imposed on multiple tortfeasors when there are simultaneous tortious acts (as defective manufacture of parts of a wheel by different manufacturers) and uncertainty as to which act was the proximate cause of an injury
compare concert of action sense 1
— civil liability
: liability imposed under civil laws and civil process as distinguished from criminal laws
also : the state of being subject to civil sanctions (as restitution or damages)
the acquittal does not relieve the corporation of civil liability for its fraud
see also tort
Note: Civil liability is created by a legal theory or principle that places a duty or obligation (as to use due care) on the defendant.
— corporate liability
: liability of a corporation that is enforced by sanctions imposed against the corporation itself
see also pierce
— criminal liability
: liability imposed under criminal laws and by means of criminal prosecution
also : the state of being subject to criminal sanctions
— enterprise liability
: liability imposed on a business enterprise especially for on-the-job injuries to employees
specifically : liability imposed on defendants who are all members of an industry that has produced a defective product when the specific manufacturer cannot be identified
— joint and several liability
: joint liability imposed on joint tortfeasors that allows enforcement of the entire judgment against any one of the tortfeasors
Note: In some jurisdictions, joint and several liability remains despite adoption of comparative fault, and in others it has been eliminated by comparative fault.
— joint liability
: liability that is shared (as by co-owners)
specifically : liability for a tort that is imposed on joint tortfeasors when they have acted in concert, owe the same duty to the plaintiff, have a legal relationship, or otherwise together have caused an injury to the plaintiff and that allows contribution or indemnity between the joint tortfeasors
— liability in solido
: solidary liability in this entry
— liability without fault
: strict liability in this entry
— personal liability
: liability imposed against an individual especially for injuries that occur on the individual's property or as a result of the individual's activities
— premises liability
: liability arising from injuries or losses occurring on one's premises
— primary liability
: liability imposed directly on a person because of his or her own negligence, default, or legal undertaking
— products liability
: liability imposed on a manufacturer or seller for a defective and unreasonably dangerous product
specifically : strict liability for a defective product that does not require the plaintiff to have privity of contract with the seller or manufacturer
called also product liability
Note: A plaintiff usually must show that a defective product was the proximate cause of injuries, was defective at the time of purchase, and was used for its intended purpose in order to establish a products liability claim.
— secondary liability
: vicarious liability in this entry
: liability (as of a guarantor) that arises from a legal obligation owed to an injured party to pay damages for another's failure to perform or negligent act
— several liability
: liability assumed or imposed on an individual separate from others
— solidary liability
in the civil law of Louisiana : liability that is shared by obligors and that makes any one obligor liable for the entire obligation to the obligee but also apportions the liability among the obligors so that contribution is allowed
specifically : such liability for a tort that is imposed on joint tortfeasors
see also solidary obligation at obligation
— strict liability
: liability that is imposed without a finding of fault (as negligence or intent)
— vicarious liability
: liability that is imposed for another's acts because of imputed or constructive fault (as negligence)
see also respondeat superior
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