insurance

[ in-shoor-uhns, -shur- ]

noun

1. the act, system, or business of insuring property, life, one's person, etc., against loss or harm arising in specified contingencies, as fire, accident, death, disablement, or the like, in consideration of a payment proportionate to the risk involved.
2. coverage by contract in which one party agrees to indemnify or reimburse another for loss that occurs under the terms of the contract.
3. the contract itself, set forth in a written or printed agreement or policy.
4. the amount for which anything is insured. insured.
5. an insurance premium.
6. any means of guaranteeing against loss or harm:

   Taking vitamin C is viewed as an insurance against catching colds.

adjective

1. of or relating to a score that increases a team's lead and insures that the lead will be held if the opposing team should score once more:

   The home run gave the team an insurance run, making the score 7-5.

insurance

/ ɪnˈʃʊərəns; -ˈʃɔː- /

noun

1. 1. the act, system, or business of providing financial protection for property, life, health, etc, against specified contingencies, such as death, loss, or damage, and involving payment of regular premiums in return for a policy guaranteeing such protection
   2. the state of having such protection
   3. Also calledinsurance policy the policy providing such protection
   4. the pecuniary amount of such protection
   5. the premium payable in return for such protection
   6. ( as modifier )

      insurance broker

      insurance agent

      insurance company

2. a means of protecting or safeguarding against risk or injury

Other Words From

• nonin·surance noun
• prein·surance noun
• proin·surance adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of insurance¹

First recorded in 1545–55; insure + -ance

Example Sentences

Programs such as crop insurance, commodity support and nutrition assistance are set to expire at the end of the year, heightening the urgency for Congress to take action.

From Salon

However, the reduced price tag is not worth the extra risk and can burden buyers with long-term insurance costs.

From Science Daily

Democrats view Medicaid as a health insurance program that helps people pay for health care...Republicans view Medicaid as a government welfare program.

From Los Angeles Times

A majority of farming operations in Ventura County are smaller growers that might not have crop insurance or are underinsured because fire coverage is not available for all farms.

From Los Angeles Times

The agency regulates health insurance and sets policy that guides the prices that doctors, hospitals and drug companies are paid for medical services.

From BBC

Related Words

• allowance
• coverage
• guarantee