Performance

Also known as: Fulfillment

In one sentence

The act of doing what a contract requires, such as delivering goods or paying money.

Plain English

Performance means carrying out your obligations under a contract. If you agree to paint someone's house for $5,000, your performance is painting the house and theirs is paying you. Performance can be complete (you do everything promised) or partial (you do some but not all). The timing and quality of performance matter—if you perform late or poorly, you may be in breach.

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Example

A contractor agrees to install new windows by March 15th. On March 14th, the contractor completes the installation. This timely performance satisfies the contract obligation.

Used in a sentence

“The seller's failure to perform by the agreed deadline gave the buyer grounds to cancel the order.”

Related terms

Material Breach

A significant failure to perform a contract obligation that defeats its core purpose.

Specific Performance

A court order forcing someone to actually do what they promised in the contract.

Satisfaction

The actual completion of the agreed-upon performance in an accord.

Acceptance Upon Performance

Accepting a contract by actually doing what was requested rather than saying yes.

Doctrine of Impracticability

Performance is excused when it becomes extremely difficult or expensive due to unforeseen events.

Offer

A proposal to enter into a binding agreement on specific terms.

Acceptance

Agreeing to the exact terms of an offer, creating a binding contract.

Consideration

Something of value exchanged by each party to make a contract binding.

This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.