rejection

noun

re·​jec·​tion ri-ˈjek-shən 

1

a

: the action of rejecting : the state of being rejected

b

: an immune response in which foreign tissue (as of a skin graft or transplanted organ) is attacked by immune system components of the recipient organism

2

: something rejected

Synonyms

• contradiction
• denegation
• denial
• disallowance
• disavowal
• disclaimer
• disconfirmation
• negation
• repudiation

Examples of rejection in a Sentence

made a flat rejection of the charges against him

the judge's swift rejection of the lawyer's request for a recess

Recent Examples on the Web

Largely unknown, with few public remarks, Souter was considered a politically palatable choice as the contentious Senate rejection of Reagan nominee Robert Bork three years earlier still rattled Washington. —Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 10 May 2025

Out of the 60,000 babies born in New Zealand last year, there were 71 rejections, according to an Official Information Act inquiry. —Charna Flam, People.com, 10 May 2025

The port’s formal rejection of the plan, in September 2024, set in motion a 270-day negotiating period, as required by the right-to-negotiate agreement, that was set to expire on June 13. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2025

The hopes of premiering at Cannes or Venice, festivals where Huppert is a mainstay, were dashed once the rejections came in. —C.j. Prince, IndieWire, 8 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing rejection

• rejection letter
• rejection slip

Rhymes for rejection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction

Kids Definition

rejection

noun

re·​jec·​tion ri-ˈjek-shən 

1

: the action of rejecting : the state of being rejected

2

: something rejected

3

: the process by which the immune system causes foreign tissue (as of a skin graft or transplanted organ) to separate from and stop functioning with the tissues of the animal or human being that has received it

Medical Definition

rejection

noun

re·​jec·​tion ri-ˈjek-shən 

1

: the action of rejecting or the state of being rejected

feelings of rejection

rejection of the atypical child by the … group

—G. S. Speer

2

: an immune response in which foreign tissue (as of a skin graft or transplanted organ) is attacked by immune system components (as antibodies, T cells, and macrophages) of the recipient organism

Legal Definition

rejection

noun

re·​jec·​tion ri-ˈjek-shən 

: the act or an instance of rejecting: as

a

: a refusal to accept an offer

b

: a refusal to accept nonconforming goods as performance of a contract

Note: Rejection and revocation are two remedies available to the buyer under the Uniform Commercial Code after the delivery of defective goods. Goods may be rejected if they do not conform to the contract. The rejection must be made within a reasonable period after delivery, before the goods have been accepted, and notice of the rejection must be given to the seller. Acceptance of the goods can be revoked if a defect substantially impairing their value to the buyer is discovered after acceptance, but such revocation must be made within a reasonable period after the buyer has discovered, or should have discovered, the defect.