resignation

noun

res·​ig·​na·​tion ˌre-zig-ˈnā-shən 

1

a

: an act or instance of resigning something : surrender

The Board accepted the CEO's resignation.

b

: a formal notification of resigning

I turned in my resignation.

2

: the quality or state of being resigned : submissiveness

accepted the news with resignation

Examples of resignation in a Sentence

The chairman accepted their resignations.

The manager received resignations from three members of the staff.

We accepted the news with resignation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Outside of Europe, so far only Jordan – one of a handful of countries not to have signed a letter of support for Infantino’s reelection prior to this crisis – has publicly called for Infantino’s resignation. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

In his resignation letter, DeWitt accused Lake’s team of forcing his resignation by giving him an ultimatum to resign, or having more recordings leaked. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026

Under Bondi and Blanche’s leadership, the department has lost thousands of employees through firings, resignations or voluntary departures. — Alanna Durkin Richer, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

More often, though, the mood is more one of resignation to a hardscrabble existence that also has its pleasures. — Alison Herman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for resignation

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

Kids Definition

resignation

noun

res·​ig·​na·​tion ˌrez-ig-ˈnā-shən 

1

a

: an act of resigning

b

: a formal notice of this act

2

: the quality or the feeling of a person who is resigned