The meaning of DEFAULT is failure to do something required by duty or law : neglect. How to use default in a sentence.

If you win or lose something by default, especially in sports, you win or lose because someone else has failed to do something, for example did not play or complete the game, or because they broke the rules:

failure to act, esp. failure to pay one's debts: to face financial default. Sport failure to appear for or complete a match: progressed into the finals because of his opponent's default.

Mar 27, 2026 · default (third-person singular simple present defaults, present participle defaulting, simple past and past participle defaulted) (intransitive) To fail to meet an obligation.

There are 14 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun default, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

de•fault (dɪˈfɔlt) n. 1. failure to act; inaction or neglect: They lost their best client by default. 2. failure to meet financial obligations. 3. failure to comply with a legal obligation. 4. Sports. failure to appear for …

In default of evidence, there can be no trial. He defaulted on his loan (payments). If the borrower defaults, the bank can take the house. The program defaults to a standard font.

The default is a particular set of instructions which a computer always uses unless the person using the computer gives other instructions.

Default definition: Failure to perform a task or fulfill an obligation, especially failure to meet a financial obligation.

Definition of default noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.