Promise Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Promise, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Promise?

An agreement between two people to perform a course of action or to hold oneself back from doing certain action or to make a payment or delivery.In contract law failure to keep the promise as agreed is a breach of contract for which legal action can be taken.

History and Meaning of Promise

A promise is a legally binding agreement between two parties to take some form of action or to refrain from doing something. The concept of promises has existed since ancient times when verbal agreements were considered binding. Over time, the concept evolved and became more formalized through written contracts and legal systems.

In contract law, a promise is a central concept. It is the basis of a contract, and when a person makes a promise, they are creating a legal obligation to fulfill that promise. If a promise is not kept, legal action can be taken against the person who failed to fulfill their obligation.

Examples of Promise

  1. Tom promises to pay his rent on time every month.
  2. Sarah promises to walk her neighbor's dog while they are on vacation.
  3. John promises to deliver a shipment of goods by a certain date.
  4. Mary promises not to disclose confidential information about her employer.
  5. David promises to mow his neighbor's lawn every week for the next three months.

Legal Terms Similar to Promise

  1. Contract: A legally binding agreement between two or more parties that sets out the terms of their relationship.
  2. Warranty: A promise made by a seller to a buyer about the quality or condition of a product.
  3. Representation: A statement made by one party to another that is intended to induce the other party to enter into a contract or make a decision.