From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishin default of somethingin default of somethingformalNOT DO something because of the lack or absence of something In default of any other instructions, they decided to use the same system as before. → default
Examples from the Corpus
in default of something• We use the study of coinage in default of and particularly to supplement other sources of historical information.• I imagine this is on the grounds that there can be no profitable reclamation of the goods in default of settlement!• A woman could inherit the throne in default of male heirs. 