Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Something that assures a particular outcome or condition.
  • noun A promise or assurance, especially one given in writing, that attests to the quality or durability of a product or service.
  • noun A pledge that something will be performed in a specified manner.
  • noun A guarantor.
  • noun A guaranty.
  • transitive verb To assume responsibility for the debt, default, or miscarriage of.
  • transitive verb To assume responsibility for the quality or performance of.
  • transitive verb To undertake to do, accomplish, or ensure (something) for another.
  • transitive verb To make certain.
  • transitive verb To guaranty.
  • transitive verb To furnish security for.
  • transitive verb To express or declare with conviction.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To be warrant or surety for; secure as an effect or consequence; make sure or certain; warrant.
  • In law, to bind one's self that the obligation of another shall be performed, or that something affecting the right of the person in whose favor the guaranty is made shall be done or shall occur.
  • To undertake to secure to another, as claims, rights, or possessions; pledge one's self to uphold or maintain.
  • To engage to indemnify for or protect from injury: as, to guarantee one against loss.
  • noun A person to whom a guaranty is given: the correlative of guarantor.
  • noun One who binds himself to see the stipulations or obligations of another performed; in general, one who is responsible for the performance of some act, the truth of some statement, etc.
  • noun Same as guaranty.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • transitive verb In law and common usage: to undertake or engage for the payment of (a debt) or the performance of (a duty) by another person; to undertake to secure (a possession, right, claim, etc.) to another against a specified contingency, or in all events; to give a guarantee concerning; to engage, assure, or secure as a thing that may be depended on; to warrant.
  • noun In law and common usage: A promise to answer for the payment of some debt, or the performance of some duty, in case of the failure of another person, who is, in the first instance, liable to such payment or performance; an engagement which secures or insures another against a contingency; a warranty; a security. Same as guaranty.
  • noun One who binds himself to see an undertaking of another performed; a guarantor.
  • noun (Law) The person to whom a guaranty is made; -- the correlative of guarantor.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Anything that assures a certain outcome.
  • noun A written declaration that a certain product will be fit for a purpose and work correctly.
  • noun A person who gives such a guarantee; a guarantor.
  • verb To assure that something will get done right.
  • verb To assume responsibility for a debt.
  • verb To make something certain.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb give surety or assume responsibility
  • verb make certain of
  • noun a written assurance that some product or service will be provided or will meet certain specifications
  • verb promise to do or accomplish
  • noun a collateral agreement to answer for the debt of another in case that person defaults
  • noun an unconditional commitment that something will happen or that something is true
  • verb stand behind and guarantee the quality, accuracy, or condition of

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Alteration of Middle English garant, warranty, from Old French; see guaranty.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Old French guarantie (perhaps via a later Spanish garante), from the verb guarantir ("to protect, assure, vouch for"), ultimately from Old Frankish *warjand, *warand (“a warrant”), or from guaranty. Compare guaranty, warranty.

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Examples

  • I plead now for the ballot, as the great guarantee; and _the only sufficient guarantee_ -- being in itself peacemaker, reconciler, schoolmaster and protector -- to which we are bound by every necessity and every reason; and I speak also for the good of the States lately in rebellion, as well as for the glory and safety of the Republic, that it may be an example to mankind.

    History of Woman Suffrage, Volume II Matilda Joslyn Gage 1862

  • Asked about that, Mr. Kiely said his use of the term "guarantee" was "colloquial" and not meant within "the legal definition."

    Highflier Tells Clients to Wait Steve Eder 2011

  • Mr. Kiely said in a statement to the Journal earlier this year that his use of the term "guarantee" in the email was "colloquial" and not meant within "the legal definition."

    Video Reveals Fletcher Fund's Claims Steve Eder 2011

  • Mr. Kasowitz, the lawyer for Fletcher, said the word guarantee referred to the fact that the pension fund would be a preferred investor, its return accrued before—and potentially taken from funds of—other investors.

    Video Reveals Fletcher Fund's Claims Steve Eder 2011

  • According to the reps that I meet with, the insurance guarantees serve as a useful marketing tool you can use the word guarantee at the closing table and provide client comfort in the form of principal protection.

    The Dubious Efficiency Of The Efficient Frontier 2009

  • The state bar association and the Chicago real-estate board supported a Torrens system for Illinois; but there was bitter opposition, too; and the title guarantee companies were not happy to see a governmental competitor.

    A History of American Law Lawrence M. Friedman 1985

  • The state bar association and the Chicago real-estate board supported a Torrens system for Illinois; but there was bitter opposition, too; and the title guarantee companies were not happy to see a governmental competitor.

    A History of American Law Lawrence M. Friedman 1985

  • The state bar association and the Chicago real-estate board supported a Torrens system for Illinois; but there was bitter opposition, too; and the title guarantee companies were not happy to see a governmental competitor.

    A History of American Law Lawrence M. Friedman 1985

  • Mr. Kiely said in a statement to the Journal earlier this year that his use of the term "guarantee" in the email was "colloquial" and not meant within "the legal definition."

    WSJ.com: What's News US 2011

  • Mr. Kasowitz, the lawyer for Fletcher, said the word guarantee referred to the fact that the pension fund would be a preferred investor, its return accrued before-and potentially taken from funds of-other investors.

    WSJ.com: What's News US 2011

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  • GuaRANTee

    July 10, 2008