grace period

noun

: a period of time beyond a due date during which a financial obligation may be met without penalty or cancellation

Examples of grace period in a Sentence

The terms of the loan allow for a ten-day grace period.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Most recently, a district court judge in July reinstated a three-day grace period for voters to return mail ballots after election day, which GOP lawmakers had eliminated. — John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 Most recently, a district court judge earlier this month reinstated a three-day grace period for voters to return mail ballots after Election Day, which GOP lawmakers had eliminated. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026 Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a defendant in the lawsuit, asked the Kansas Court of Appeals to quickly review Folsom’s injunction, saying ballots for the August primary had already gone out informing voters there was no grace period. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 Diaz said there is a 30-day grace period for students where all lunches will be provided free of charge. — Austin Horn july 22, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for grace period

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grace period was in 1907

Rhymes for grace period

See All Rhymes for grace period

Browse Nearby Words

grace note
grace period
grace with one's presence
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grace period.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grace%20period. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Legal Definition

grace period

noun
grace pe·​ri·​od
: a period of time beyond a scheduled date during which a required action (as payment of an obligation) may be taken without incurring the ordinarily resulting adverse consequences (as penalty or cancellation): as
a
: a period of 30 days or one month during which premiums on insurance policies may be paid without penalty
b
: a period of ten days during which certain security interests (as those in fixtures) must be perfected in order to have priority over conflicting security interests under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code

called also days of grace

More from Merriam-Webster on grace period

Nglish: Translation of grace period for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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