Meaning & use

tort

noun·Advanced

A wrongful act, other than a breach of contract, that causes harm and can lead to a civil lawsuit.

See it in a sentence

Slipping on a wet floor with no warning sign can be the basis of a tort claim.

The lawyer specialized in tort law, handling cases of negligence and personal injury.

A note on using this word

A core concept in civil law, distinct from criminal law; common types include negligence, defamation, and trespass.

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