guarantee

Definition

Anything that assures a certain outcome.

Etymology

From Old French guarantie (perhaps via a later Spanish garante), from the verb guarantir (“to protect, assure, vouch for”), ultimately from Old Frankish *warjand, *warand (“a warrant”), or from guaranty. Doublet of guaranty and warranty.

Example Sentences

• "Can you give me a guarantee that he will be fit for the match?"
• "After his actions were challenged by foreign governments and Parliament initially tried to put a stop to his action, Denman returned home and argued his case with enough force that, by 1848, the Royal Navy was handed active permission and encouragement to raze every last slave factory they could find to the ground, and full authority to stop any ship, of any flag, that was thought to be a slaver, with a guarantee with^([sic]) no censure from the government."
• "The cooker comes with a five-year guarantee."