Section 2.13 Terms Should Be Given Their Ordinary and Usual Meaning

• Library: Contracts 2016 Supp

a. (§2.13) Terms Should Be Given Their Ordinary and Usual Meaning

One of the most often-cited rules of construction is that the terms of a contract should be given their plain, ordinary, and usual meaning. See, e.g., State ex rel. Vincent v. Schneider, 194 S.W.3d 853, 859 (Mo. banc 2006); Dunn Indus. Group, Inc. v. City of Sugar Creek, 112 S.W.3d 421, 428 (Mo. banc 2003); ND-Sell, Inc. v. Greater Springfield Bd. of Realtors, Inc., 224 S.W.3d 623, 628 (Mo. App. S.D. 2007). The “plain and ordinary meaning” of a term is one that a person of average intelligence, knowledge, and experience would deem...