Force majeure (French for "superior force") is a contract clause that excuses or delays a party's performance when an extraordinary event makes performance impossible or impractical. Typical triggers: hurricanes and other natural disasters, war, terrorism, pandemics, government shutdowns, strikes and labor actions, and supply chain failures from upstream events. The clause does not eliminate the obligation; it pauses it for the duration of the event and grants a time extension.
Force majeure is usually non-compensable: time only, no money. The contractor still bears its own delay-period costs (general conditions, financing, etc.) unless the contract specifically allows recovery. Modern contracts often list specific events that qualify and specific notice procedures the contractor must follow to invoke force majeure. Failing to give timely notice typically waives the claim, no matter how genuine the underlying event was.