due diligence
noun
Did you know?
Doing Your Due Diligence
Due diligence has been used since at least the mid-fifteenth century in the literal sense “requisite effort.” Centuries later, the phrase developed a legal meaning, namely, “the care that a reasonable person takes to avoid harm to other persons or their property”; in this sense, it is synonymous with another legal term, ordinary care. More recently, due diligence has extended its reach into business contexts, signifying the research a company performs before engaging in a financial transaction. This meaning may also apply to individuals: people are often advised to perform their due diligence before buying a house, signing a loan, or making any important purchase.
Examples of due diligence in a Sentence
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Research before investing As with any investment, doing your due diligence is crucial.
—Christer Holloman, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Even as the industry has modernized, advocates worry that local and federal authorities won’t do their due diligence in regulating these companies.
—Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024
An automaker hoping to sell luxury vehicles really needs to perform this kind of due diligence to ensure its cars meet the right standard.
—James Morris, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for due diligence 
Dictionary Entries Near due diligence
Cite this Entry
“Due diligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/due%20diligence. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
due diligence
nouncalled also reasonable diligence
Note: Due diligence is used most often in connection with the performance of a professional or fiduciary duty, or with regard to proceeding with a court action. Due care is used more often in connection with general tort actions.
G. M. Lawrence
Share