Failure

[feyl-yer] /ˈfeɪl yər/

noun
1.
an act or instance of or proving unsuccessful; lack of success:
His effort ended in failure. The campaign was a failure.
2.
nonperformance of something due, required, or expected:
a failure to do what one has promised; a failure to appear.
3.
a subnormal quantity or quality; an insufficiency:
the failure of crops.
4.
deterioration or decay, especially of vigor, strength, etc.:
The failure of her health made retirement necessary.
5.
a condition of being bankrupt by reason of insolvency.
6.
a becoming insolvent or bankrupt:
the failure of a bank.
7.
a person or thing that proves unsuccessful:
He is a failure in his career. The cake is a failure.
/ˈfeɪljə/
noun
1.
the act or an instance of failing
2.
a person or thing that is unsuccessful or disappointing: the evening was a failure
3.
nonperformance of something required or expected: failure to attend will be punished
4.
cessation of normal operation; breakdown: a power failure
5.
an insufficiency or shortage: a crop failure
6.
a decline or loss, as in health or strength
7.
the fact of not reaching the required standard in an examination, test, course, etc
8.
the act or process of becoming bankrupt or the state of being bankrupt
n.

1640s, failer, from Anglo-French failer, from Old French falir (see fail (v.)). The verb in Anglo-French used as a noun; ending altered 17c. to conform with words in -ure.

failure fail·ure (fāl’yər)
n.
The inability to function or perform satisfactorily.

The inability of a system or system component to perform a required function within specified limits. A failure may be produced when a fault is encountered.
(1996-05-13)