withdrawal

noun

with·​draw·​al wit͟h-ˈdrȯ(-ə)l 

with-

1

a

: the act of taking back or away something that has been granted or possessed

b

: removal from a place of deposit or investment

c(1)

: the discontinuance of administration or use of a drug

(2)

: the syndrome of often painful physical and psychological symptoms that follows discontinuance of an addicting drug

a heroin addict going through withdrawal

2

a

: retreat or retirement especially into a more secluded or less exposed place or position

b

: an operation by which a military force disengages from the enemy

c(1)

: social or emotional detachment

(2)

: a pathological retreat from objective reality (as in some schizophrenic states)

3

: retraction, revocation

threatened us with withdrawal of consent

4

a

: the act of drawing someone or something back from or out of a place or position

b

: coitus interruptus

Synonyms of withdrawal

• retreat
• retirement

Examples of withdrawal in a Sentence

The general authorized the withdrawal of troops from the fields.

She made a withdrawal from her checking account.

He underwent rehab to help him through his withdrawal from heroin.

She experienced symptoms of nicotine withdrawal after she quit smoking.

Recent Examples on the Web

The robot’s withdrawal also prompted discussion about the distinction between demonstrating mobility and sustaining it under demanding conditions. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026

The amount of his withdrawal is computed using the year specified in the Single Life Expectancy Table using the age of the beneficiary the year following the death of the IRA owner. — Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

Prior to the withdrawal deadline, there was a glimmer of hope for Bodnar and Bankhead as the state had oscillated between parties in statewide races. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026

Among other things, the attackers extended their unauthorized access to an internal wallet signing service to complete transactions outside the normal withdrawal process. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

withdrawal

noun

with·​draw·​al wit͟h-ˈdrȯ(-ə)l 

with-

1

: an act or instance of withdrawing

especially : a removal of money from a bank account

2

a

: the stopping of the use or giving of a drug and especially a habit-forming drug

b

: the group of often painful physical and emotional symptoms that occur when use of a habit-forming drug is stopped

Medical Definition

withdrawal

noun

with·​draw·​al -ˈdrȯ(ə-)l 

1

a

: a pathological retreat from objective reality (as in some schizophrenic states)

b

: social or emotional detachment

2

a

: the discontinuance of administration or use of a drug

b

: the syndrome of often painful physical and psychological symptoms that follows discontinuance of an addicting substance

a heroin addict going through withdrawal

3

: coitus interruptus

Legal Definition

withdrawal

noun

with·​draw·​al

1

: the act or fact of withdrawing

withdrawal from a conspiracy

2

: removal of money from a place of deposit or investment