- [uncountable, countable, usually singular]
what happens or appears if you do not make any other choice or change, especially in a computer program 默认；系统设定值；缺省值；预置值 The default is fifty lines. 默认为五十行。 The default option is to save your work every five minutes. 默认设置为每五分钟存盘一次。 What is your default browser? 你的默认浏览器是什么？ All my life, envy has been my default emotion. 一辈子，羡慕一直是我默认的情感。
- [uncountable, countable]
failure to do something that must be done by law, especially paying a debt 违约（尤指未偿付债务） - in default (on something)
The company is in default on the loan. 这家公司拖欠借款。 Mortgage defaults have risen in the last year. 按揭借款违约在近一年里呈上升趋势。
- in default (on something)
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French defaut, from defaillir ‘to fail’, based on Latin fallere ‘disappoint, deceive’.
Idioms
by default
a game or competition can be won by default if there are no other people, teams, etc. taking part （比赛）因其他参赛者不到场，由于对手缺席（而胜出） He became world champion in 2007 by default. 他在2007年成为了世界冠军。
if something happens by default, it happens because you have not made any other decision or choices that would make things happen in a different way 由于没有特别作出决定（或选择） I became a teacher by default rather than by design. 我是默认而不是刻意成为老师的。
in default of something