1. A given time limit that is a written commitment or promise between a seller or a manufacturer of a product and a purchaser ensuring service against defects: The vacuum cleaner has a five-year warranty.

The warranty covers the car's mechanical functioning for a year with unlimited mileage.

2. Etymology: the word warranty is the same word as guaranty in that both of them come from French garantie, but for some reason, a Germanic initial w sound replaced the g in warranty and both words mean very similar things; however, warranty is more specific.