failure to act, esp. failure to pay one's debts:to face financial default.
Sportfailure to appear for or complete a match:progressed into the finals because of his opponent's default.
Computinga preset value that a computer system assumes or an action that it takes unless it is otherwise instructed:When you start your computer from the A drive, then that is the default for later disk operations.
v.
[no obj] to fail to pay, perform a duty, etc.:The bank had defaulted on that loan.
Sportto fail to compete in (a contest); to lose by default: [no obj]:He defaulted and left the tournament.[ ~ + obj]:He defaulted the match and left in disgust.
Idioms
Idiomsin default of, for lack of; in the absence of:In default of a workable plan they decided to proceed on a day-to-day basis.
failure to act; inaction or neglect:They lost their best client by sheer default.
failure to meet financial obligations.
Lawfailure to perform an act or obligation legally required, esp. to appear in court or to plead at a time assigned.
Sportfailure to arrive in time for, participate in, or complete a scheduled match.
lack; want; absence.
Computinga value that a program or operating system assumes, or a course of action that a program or operating system will take, when the user or programmer specifies no overriding value or action.
v.i.
to fail in fulfilling or satisfying an engagement, claim, or obligation.
to fail to meet financial obligations or to account properly for money in one's care:When he defaulted in his payments, the bank foreclosed on the car.
Lawto fail to appear in court.
Sport
to fail to participate in or complete a match.
to lose a match by default.
v.t.
to fail to perform or pay:to default a debt.
to declare to be in default, esp. legally:The judge defaulted the defendant.
Sport
to fail to compete in (a scheduled game, race, etc.).
to lose by default.
Lawto lose by failure to appear in court.
Anglo-French defalte, Old French defaute, derivative of defaillir, after faute, faillir. See de-, fault,fail