Warrant

Also known as: Warranty

In one sentence

A guarantee or promise that something is true or will work as stated.

Plain English

A warrant (also called a warranty) is a seller's promise that goods or services meet certain standards or will perform as advertised. When you buy a car with a warranty, the seller is warranting that the engine works, the brakes function, and so on. Warranties can be express (explicitly stated) or implied (automatically included by law). If something fails to meet a warranty, the buyer can often get a refund, replacement, or repair without having to prove the seller was careless.

Ad slot

Example

A laptop comes with a one-year warranty covering hardware defects. If the screen stops working after six months, the buyer can return it for repair or replacement because the seller warranted it would work.

Used in a sentence

“The home inspector's warrant that the foundation was sound turned out to be false when cracks appeared months later.”

Related terms

Warranty

A promise that something is true or will work as described.

Disclaimer of Warranties

A statement that removes or limits the automatic guarantees a seller would otherwise provide.

Implied Warranty of Merchantability

An automatic guarantee that goods sold by a merchant are fit for their ordinary purpose.

Material Fact

A fact that significantly affects a party's rights, obligations, or decision-making in a contract.

Remedy

A legal action or payment a court awards to fix a harm or enforce a right after a breach.

Enforceability

The legal ability to compel someone to follow through on a contract's terms in court.

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.

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.