vulnerability

/ˌvʌln(ə)ɹəˈbɪlɪti/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: vulnerabilities

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The state of being vulnerable; susceptibility to attack or injury, either physical or emotional; the state or condition of being weak or poorly defended.

Noun

Examples

The country recognized their defence vulnerability after an airplane landed in front of the central square without any consequences.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A specific weakness in the protections or defences surrounding someone or something.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “vulnerability” mean?

The state of being vulnerable; susceptibility to attack or injury, either physical or emotional; the state or condition of being weak or poorly defended.

Is “vulnerability” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.