1
: failure to do something required by duty or law : neglect
2
archaic
: fault
3
economics
: a failure to pay financial debts
was in default on her loan
mortgage defaults
4
a
law
: failure to appear at the required time in a legal proceeding
The defendant is in default.
b
: failure to compete in or to finish an appointed contest
lost the game by default
5
a
: a selection made usually automatically or without active consideration due to lack of a viable alternative
remained the club's president by default
the default candidate
b
computers
: a selection automatically used by a program in the absence of a choice made by the user
using the default settings
defaulted; defaulting; defaults
1
: to fail to fulfill a contract, agreement, or duty: such as
a
: to fail to meet a financial obligation
default on a loan
b
law
: to fail to appear in court
c
: to fail to compete in or to finish an appointed contest
also
: to forfeit a contest by such failure
2
computers
: to make a selection automatically in the absence of a choice made by the user
The program defaults to a standard font.
1
: to fail to perform, pay, or make good
default a loan
2
a
: forfeit
defaulted the game
b
: to exclude (a player or a team) from a contest by default
was defaulted from the tournament
defaulter
noun
Examples of default in a Sentence
Noun
The defendant has made no appearance in the case and is in default.
You can enter your own settings or use the defaults.
Which font is the default in that computer program?
Verb
If the borrower defaults, the bank can take the house.
The program defaults to a standard font.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Second, upgrade your default expression tier.
—Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
Shivam Real Estate had defaulted on the loan in June and lost the hotel through the foreclosure.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for default
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.
Noun
America’s best-selling SUV, the five-passenger RAV4 has become something like the default vehicle choice for many buyers.
—Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Second, upgrade your default expression tier.
—Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
Argentina defaulted on foreign debts repeatedly and pleaded for bailout packages from the International Monetary Fund even more often.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
Shivam Real Estate had defaulted on the loan in June and lost the hotel through the foreclosure.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for default
Cite this Entry
“Default.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/default. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
default
1 of 2 noun
de·fault
di-ˈfȯlt 
1
: failure to take action
lost a great opportunity by default
a decision made by default, not by deciding
2
: failure to do something required (as make a payment or appear in court)
in default on a loan
lost a court case by default
3
: a selection to be made automatically according to a computer program when the user does not specify a choice
default
2 of 2 verb
: to fail to carry out a contract, obligation, or duty
defaulter
noun
Legal Definition
default
noun
de·fault
di-ˈfȯlt, ˈdē-ˌfȯlt
1
: failure to do something required by duty (as under a contract or by law): as
a
: failure to comply with the terms of a loan agreement or security agreement especially with regard to payment of the debt
b
in the civil law of Louisiana
: a delay in performing under a contract that is recognized by the other party
Note: A party whose performance under a contract is delayed is not automatically in default. Rather, the law of Louisiana requires that the other party “put him or her in default” by a written or witnessed oral request for performance, by filing suit, or by invoking a specific provision in the contract. Moratory damages may be recoverable for loss caused by the delay.
2
: failure to defend against a claim in court (as by failing to file pleadings or to appear in court) see also default judgment at judgment sense 1a
default
verb
defaulter
noun
Etymology
Noun
Anglo-French defalte, defaute lack, fault, failure to answer a summons, from defaillir to be lacking, fail, from de-, intensive prefix + faillir to fail
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share