Definition

1. Noun:
   • An overwhelming, unforeseeable, and uncontrollable event: "force majeure" refers to a major disruptive event that is beyond human control and could not have been reasonably anticipated or prevented, such as a war, natural disaster, or act of God.
   • A contractual clause: In legal and business contexts, "force majeure" also names a standard clause in contracts that frees both parties from liability or obligation when such an extraordinary event occurs.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The shipping company invoked force majeure after the hurricane destroyed the port.
  • The contract includes a detailed force majeure clause covering pandemics and government lockdowns.
  • The failure to deliver was due to force majeure, not negligence.

Advanced Usage

• "To invoke force majeure": to formally cite a force majeure event as the reason for being unable to fulfill a contract.

  • The manufacturer had to invoke force majeure when a key supplier's factory was seized by the government.

• "A force majeure event": a specific incident that qualifies under the force majeure clause.

  • The earthquake was declared a force majeure event, suspending all construction deadlines.

Variants and Related Words

• Act of God (n): A term often used synonymously in insurance and law, specifically for natural disasters like floods or earthquakes. It is a subset of force majeure events.

  • Most property insurance covers damage caused by an act of God.

• Vis major (n): A Latin term with the same legal meaning as "force majeure."

  • The principle of vis major relieves a party from contractual duties under extraordinary circumstances.

Synonyms

• Unforeseeable circumstance: An unanticipated situation.
• Casus fortuitus: A Latin term for an accidental or chance event.
• Irresistible force: An overwhelming power that cannot be opposed.

Related Phrases

• Force majeure clause: The specific section in a contract detailing the conditions.

  • Before signing, carefully review the force majeure clause.

• Force majeure certificate: An official document issued (e.g., by a chamber of commerce) to prove such an event occurred.

  • The exporter provided a force majeure certificate to the buyer.

Related Idioms

• Beyond one's control: Used to describe events for which one cannot be held responsible, similar to the concept of force majeure.
  • The delays were due to circumstances entirely beyond our control.

Noun

1. a natural and unavoidable catastrophe that interrupts the expected course of events
   • he discovered that his house was not insured against acts of God