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

3

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

Synonyms

• abandonment
• abortion
• calling
• calling off
• dropping
• recall
• recision
• repeal
• rescission
• revocation

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

Regular soldiers were pushed aside (this also included Battlefront 3's cancellation), while 'power fantasy' characters like Starkiller were brought to the forefront again. —Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2025

These tricks include: Creating cancellation mazes Removing cancel buttons at critical moments Adding fake urgency with timers Burying important details in fine print These tactics might boost short-term numbers but destroy long-term trust. —Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Other loan cancellation opportunities to consider Federal student loan borrowers also remain entitled to a number of other student loan forgiveness opportunities. —Annie Nova, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025

While cancellation options are available in advance of the other three periods—broadly speaking, advertisers may back out of between 25% and 50% of their Q1, Q2 and Q3 upfront allocations—the ontological status of fall buys is a lot less equivocal. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Apr. 2025

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)