failure in WordNet English dictionary

1. 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"
   bankruptcy  failure 
   
2. an act that fails
   "his failure to pass the test"
   failure 
   
3. an unexpected omission
   "he resented my failure to return his call"; "the mechanic's failure to check the brakes"
   failure 
   
4. an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose
   "the surprise party was a complete failure"
   failure 
   
5. a person with a record of failing; someone who loses consistently
   failure  loser  nonstarter  unsuccessful person 
   
6. lack of success
   "he felt that his entire life had been a failure"; "that year there was a crop failure"
   failure 
   
7. loss of ability to function normally
   "kidney failure"
   failure