the act, system, or business of providing financial protection for property, life, health, etc against specified contingencies, such as death, loss, or damage, and involving payment of regular premiums in return for a policy guaranteeing such protection the state of having such protection - Also called: insurance policy
the policy providing such protection the pecuniary amount of such protection the premium payable in return for such protection (as modifier): insurance agent, insurance broker, insurance company a means of protecting or safeguarding against risk or injury
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
in•sur•ance /ɪnˈʃʊrəns, -ˈʃɜr-/USA pronunciation
n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Business[uncountable] the act, system, or business of insuring property, life, etc., against loss or harm in return for payment.
- Business coverage under a contract in which one party agrees to compensate another for a loss:[uncountable]He had life insurance that was enough to support his children.
- Business the amount for which anything is insured:[uncountable]His insurance was $50,000.
- any means of guaranteeing against loss or harm: [uncountable]to take vitamin C as insurance against colds.[countable* usually singular]As an insurance against being swindled, they examined the car carefully before buying.
in•sur•ance
(in shŏŏr′əns, -shûr′-),USA pronunciation n.
adj.
- Businessthe act, system, or business of insuring property, life, one's person, etc., against loss or harm arising in specified contingencies, as fire, accident, death, disablement, or the like, in consideration of a payment proportionate to the risk involved.
- Businesscoverage by contract in which one party agrees to indemnify or reimburse another for loss that occurs under the terms of the contract.
- Businessthe contract itself, set forth in a written or printed agreement or policy.
- Businessthe amount for which anything is insured.
- Businessan insurance premium.
- any means of guaranteeing against loss or harm:Taking vitamin C is viewed as an insurance against catching colds.
adj.
- Sportof or pertaining to a score that increases a team's lead and insures that the lead will be held if the opposing team should score once more:The home run gave the team an insurance run, making the score 7-5.
- insure + -ance 1545–55
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