Endangerment

/ɪnˈdeɪndʒərmənt/

Meaning & Definition

noun
The act of putting someone or something at risk or in danger.
The pollution in the river poses a significant endangerment to the local wildlife.
A situation in which someone or something is exposed to harm or risk.
The decision to cut down the forest resulted in the endangerment of several endangered species.
Legal liability arising from the risk of harm or injury to a person or the environment.
The company faced charges of endangerment after the chemical spill affected the town's drinking water.

Etymology

Derived from the verb 'endanger' combined with the suffix '-ment'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

child endangerment
the crime of putting a child in danger of harm
self-endangerment
the act of putting oneself in risky situations
environmental endangerment
the act of causing ecological harm or risk to wildlife

Related Words

endanger
to expose to danger or risk
danger
the possibility of suffering harm or injury
hazard
a source of danger

Slang Meanings

put in harm's way
That stunt was totally putting him in harm's way.
playing with fire
Going into that abandoned building is really playing with fire.