Failure

n. inability to succeed; lack of success; neglect; lack; non-performance; bankruptcy; downfall

In general, failure refers to the state or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective. It may be viewed as the opposite of success.
See more at Wikipedia.org...

Noun
1. an act that fails; "his failure to pass the test"
(hypernym) nonaccomplishment, nonachievement
(hyponym) failing
(derivation) fail, go wrong, miscarry
2. an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose; "the surprise party was a complete failure"
(antonym) success
(hypernym) happening, occurrence, natural event
(hyponym) downfall, ruin, ruination
(derivation) fail
3. lack of success; "he felt that his entire life had been a failure"; "that year there was a crop failure"
(antonym) success
(hypernym) fortune, destiny, fate, luck, lot, circumstances, portion
(hyponym) bankruptcy
(derivation) fail, go wrong, miscarry
4. a person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently
(synonym) loser, nonstarter, unsuccessful person
(hypernym) unfortunate, unfortunate person
(hyponym) bankrupt, insolvent
(derivation) fail, go wrong, miscarry
5. an unexpected omission; "he resented my failure to return his call"; "the mechanic's failure to check the brakes"
(hypernym) omission, skip
(hyponym) disappointment, dashing hopes
(derivation) fail, neglect
6. inability to discharge all your debts as they come due; "the company had to declare bankruptcy"; "fraudulent loans led to the failure of many banks"
(synonym) bankruptcy
(hypernym) insolvency
(derivation) fail
7. loss of ability to function normally; "kidney failure"
(hypernym) disorder, upset
(hyponym) heart failure, coronary failure
(derivation) fail, go bad, give way, die, give out, conk out, go, break, break down

The temporary or permanent termination of the ability of an entity to perform its required function. (188 )

The inability of a system or system component to perform a required function within specified limits. A failure may be produced when a fault is encountered.
(1996-05-13)