vulnerability

From vulnerable +‎ -ability.

• IPA^(key): /ˌvʌln(ə)ɹəˈbɪlɪti/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• (proscribed) IPA^(key): /ˌvʌn(ə)ɹəˈbɪlɪti/
• Hyphenation: vul‧ner‧a‧bil‧i‧ty
• Rhymes: -ɪlɪti

vulnerability (countable and uncountable, plural vulnerabilities)

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

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

   • 2019, Bridget Sweet, Thinking Outside the Voice Box, page 71:

     Again, voice change is not easy and vulnerability plays a big part, but if choral teachers and adolescent singers approach it with the right mindframe, the experience can be empowering, enlightening, and restorative for all involved.

2. (countable) A specific weakness in the protections or defences surrounding someone or something.
3. (computing) A weakness which allows an attacker to reduce a system's security.

• vulnerableness

• invulnerability

• vulnerable