act of God

noun

, Law.

1. a direct, sudden, and irresistible action of natural forces such as could not reasonably have been foreseen or prevented, as a flood, hurricane, earthquake, or other natural catastrophe.

act of God

noun

1. law a sudden and inevitable occurrence caused by natural forces and not by the agency of man, such as a flood, earthquake, or a similar catastrophe

act of God

¹

1. An event beyond human control — e.g., hurricane , earthquake , volcanic eruption ( see volcano ), etc. — for which there is no legal redress. The phrase is frequently used by insurance companies and lawyers.

act of God

²

1. A natural catastrophe, e.g., a hurricane , an earthquake , or a volcanic eruption. ( See volcano .)

Notes

In contracts dealing with the delivery of goods or services , the term is used to protect the parties from litigation over delays or failures in performance owing to circumstances beyond their control.

As a legal term relating to property damage, it appears in insurance contracts : “After the flood, Papovich was dismayed to discover that his house was not insured against acts of God.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of act of God¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Idioms and Phrases

An unforeseen and uncontrollable natural event, such as a hurricane, fire, or flood. For example, The publisher shall publish the work within twelve months except in case of delay caused by acts of God such as fires or floods or other circumstances beyond its control . It most often appears in legal contracts, where it is used to indemnify one party against a disaster that prevents it from carrying out the contract's terms. [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

But since the house was destroyed by an act of God, a review isn’t required, according to Wheeler.

From Los Angeles Times

“This bridge didn’t collapse just by an act of God. It collapsed because of a lack of maintenance and repair,” National Transportation Safety Board member Michael Graham said.

From Seattle Times

Maybe, the theories went, Ms. Haley now understood that without some unforeseen act of God, there was no mathematical path for her to win enough delegates to wrench the Republican nomination from Donald J. Trump.

From New York Times

It won’t take an act of God or a series of fortunate calls or a streak of lucky bounces, either.

From Seattle Times

But Mr Habib's relatives saw the phenomenon as "an act of God", rather than something driven by human activity.

From BBC