failure
n. C / Un. a situation where something does not work or you do not achieve what you wanted. It can also describe a person or thing that is not successful.
n. the lack of success in achieving a desired goal or the omission of an expected action. Can also refer to the non-performance or breakdown of a mechanical or biological system.
The experiment ended in failure because the equipment broke.
Despite their best efforts to save the company, the launch of the new product was a total failure.
The structural failure of the bridge was attributed to a combination of extreme weather conditions and a long-term lack of maintenance by the local authorities.
From Anglo-Norman failer, from Old French faillir (“to fail”). Equivalent to fail + -ure.
Often functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the abstract concept of not succeeding, but becomes countable when referring to specific instances or people.
He is a failure personHe is a failure'Failure' is a noun that can describe a person directly; it should not be used as an adjective before 'person'.