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