due diligence
noun
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Doing Your Due Diligence
Due diligence has been used since at least the mid-fifteenth century in the literal sense “requisite effort.” Centuries later, the phrase developed a legal meaning, namely, “the care that a reasonable person takes to avoid harm to other persons or their property”; in this sense, it is synonymous with another legal term, ordinary care. More recently, due diligence has extended its reach into business contexts, signifying the research a company performs before engaging in a financial transaction. This meaning may also apply to individuals: people are often advised to perform their due diligence before buying a house, signing a loan, or making any important purchase.
Examples of due diligence in a Sentence
Armon Petrossian, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
The Guardians have scouts checking in on prospects for some of the legitimate contenders, due diligence that every team conducts this time of year.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 28 July 2025
Former acting San Diego auditor Kyle Elser said the audit recommendations were made to ensure the city performs due diligence on all major real estate deals.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2025
After conducting standard due diligence, BMO approved Horizon’s application for a dealer trading agreement in early 2024.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for due diligence
Cite this Entry
“Due diligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/due%20diligence. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
due diligence
nouncalled also reasonable diligence
Note: Due diligence is used most often in connection with the performance of a professional or fiduciary duty, or with regard to proceeding with a court action. Due care is used more often in connection with general tort actions.
G. M. Lawrence
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