Liability Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2024)

liability

/ˌlajəˈbɪləti/

noun

plural

liabilities

liability

/ˌlajəˈbɪləti/

noun

Britannica Dictionary definition of LIABILITY

1

[noncount]

:

the state of being legally responsible for something

:

the state of being liable for something

  • The company is trying to limit its liability in this case.

  • criminal liability [=the state of being responsible for a crime]

  • The judge cleared me of any/all liability for the accident. [=the judge said that I was not responsible for the accident]

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2

[count]

:

something (such as the payment of money) for which a person or business is legally responsible

  • a tax liability [=taxes that will have to be paid]

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usually plural

  • business assets and liabilities [=debts]

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3

[count]

:

someone or something that causes problems

  • His small size was a liability (to him) as a football player.

  • This scandal has made the vice president a liability (for this administration).

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Liability Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2024)
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