Peril Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2024)

peril

/ˈperəl/

noun

plural

perils

peril

/ˈperəl/

noun

plural

perils

Britannica Dictionary definition of PERIL

1

[noncount]

:

the possibility that you will be hurt or killed or that something unpleasant or bad will happen

:

danger

  • People are unaware of the peril these miners face each day.

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usually used in the phrase in peril

  • They put their lives in peril. [=in jeopardy]

  • The species is in peril [=(more commonly) in danger] of dying out.

  • His career is in peril.

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2

[count]

:

something that is likely to cause injury, pain, harm, or loss

:

danger

  • She described global warming as “a growing peril.”

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usually plural

  • the perils of childbirth

  • They faced many perils in their journey through the region.

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at your (own) peril

used to say that if you do something you should be aware that it is dangerous and that you could be harmed, injured, punished, etc.

  • No lifeguard is on duty: swim at your own peril. [=at your own risk]

  • Restaurants that ignore the smoking ban do so at their peril.

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Peril Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2024)
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