negligenceneg·li·gence /ˈneglɪdʒəns/ noun [uncountableU] LAW failure to take enough care over something that you are responsible for, for which you may have to pay DAMAGESThe captain of the ship was accused of negligence in carrying out safety procedures.
The jury found the company guilty of gross (=very serious) negligence and awarded the dead man’s family $10 million.
→ contributory negligence