majeure

Majeure is a French adjective meaning greater or major. In English, the term is most often encountered in legal contexts through the fixed expression force majeure, which describes events beyond a party's control that excuse or suspend performance under a contract. The form majeur/majeure itself is rarely used alone in English; it appears mainly in French phrases such as evenement majeur (major event) or circonstances majeures (major circumstances).

In contract practice, force majeure clauses select events deemed unavoidable and unforeseeable, enabling delays, suspension of obligations, or termination without liability. Typical listed events include natural disasters, war or terrorism, government action, industrial action, and epidemics or pandemics. Clauses usually require notice, specify applicable time frames, and address mitigation and consequences such as extensions or termination. Jurisdictional treatment differs: some systems treat force majeure as a contractual protection, while others align with the common-law doctrine of frustration, which can discharge or modify obligations when performance becomes impossible or radically different.

Beyond law, majeure appears in French usage in other domains. In music, majeure designates the major scale or interval, as in tonalité majeure (major key).

Summary: majeure is a term linked primarily to force majeure in English-language law, indicating major or unavoidable events that affect contractual duties. For precise effect, consult the contract and applicable law.