cancellation

noun

can·​cel·​la·​tion ˌkan(t)-sə-ˈlā-shən 

variants or less commonly cancelation

1

: the act or an instance of canceling

The cancellation of the game was due to bad weather.

2

: something (such as a hotel room or a ticket) made available by the canceling of an arrangement

was lucky to get a cancellation for the trip to Chicago

—often used before another noun

got a cancellation ticket/slot

3

: a mark made to cancel something (such as a postage stamp)

Synonyms of cancellation

• repeal
• abandonment
• revocation
• abolition
• rescission

Examples of cancellation in a Sentence

The storm caused delays and flight cancellations.

Notice of cancellation should be given 30 days in advance.

There is a fee for cancellation.

Cancellations increased when rates doubled.

Recent Examples on the Web

American tourists can't stop talking about the border wall, or its apparent cancellation, said Ventura Falcón, who owns Boquillas Restaurant on the Mexican side. —Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026

The war in the Middle East led to the cancellation of F1 races scheduled for this month in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2026

And the twin Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) probes, which study magnetic reconnection in Earth’s atmosphere, could also see cancellation, according to the analysis. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026

Anyone going this route should plan travel and lodging with flexible cancellation options — last-minute availability is rare. —Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see cancel entry 1

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cancellation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

cancellation

noun

can·​cel·​la·​tion ˌkan(t)-sə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: an act of canceling

2

: a mark made to cancel something

Legal Definition

cancellation

noun

can·​cel·​la·​tion

variants also cancelation

1

: the act or an instance of cancelling

2

: a mark made to cancel something (as a check)