Definition of DEFAULTED (original) (raw)
1
: failure to do something required by duty or law : neglect
3
economics : a failure to pay financial debts
was in default on her loan
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
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
b
computers : a selection automatically used by a program in the absence of a choice made by the user
using the default settings
1
: to fail to fulfill a contract, agreement, or duty: such as
a
: to fail to meet a financial obligation
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
2
b
: to exclude (a player or a team) from a contest by default
was defaulted from the tournament
Synonyms
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
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.
Braun, two games removed from being benched to accommodate the Westbrook-Jokic two-man dynamic, was suddenly back in the starting five by default. —
Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2025 If Bowman hadn't chosen from among the three, the default method would have been the electric chair. More about Marion Bowman Bowman grew up in a rural area in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, about halfway between Charleston and Columbia. —Amanda Lee Myers, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
Each type is given full attention, with examples of how a person with this go-to style might default to certain responses when encountering conflict. —Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2025 Different garnishments to resume at different times Federal student loan borrowers who’ve defaulted on their loans may see their wages garnished starting in October of this year, according to the Education Department memo. —Annie Nova, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for default 
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English defaute, defaulte, from Anglo-French, from defaillir to be lacking, fail, from de- + faillir to fail
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of default was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near default
Cite this Entry
“Default.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/default. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 8 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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