SKIP TO CONTENT

contributory negligence

/kənˌtrɪbjəˈtɔri ˌnɛglədʒəns/
IPA guide

Definitions of contributory negligence
  1. noun
    (law) behavior by the plaintiff that contributes to the harm resulting from the defendant's negligence
    “in common law any degree of contributory negligence would bar the plaintiff from collecting damages”
    see moresee less
    type of:
    carelessness, neglect, negligence, nonperformance
    failure to act with the prudence that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘contributory negligence'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family