Contract basics

Waiver

Voluntarily giving up a right the contract or law gives you.

What it means

A waiver is the voluntary giving up of a known right — for example, accepting late payments without complaint may waive the right to insist on the original schedule. Many contracts include a 'no waiver' clause saying that letting one violation slide does not give up the right to enforce the contract later. In construction, waiver most often appears in lien waivers, which release lien rights in exchange for payment.

Why it matters before you sign

Know exactly which rights a document asks you to waive — a broad waiver can give up protections worth far more than the payment attached to it.

In a contract, it looks like this

By signing the unconditional waiver, the supplier waived its lien rights for all work through the stated date.

This definition is a general, educational explanation — not legal advice. XOsign provides AI-assisted document tools and does not provide legal advice; consider consulting a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation. Requirements vary by state.

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What Is Waiver? Plain-Language Definition · XOsign