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

But Ryer attributed the relative silence to resignation in the face of Democrats' political advantage. —Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026

His 1973 testimony during Watergate investigations exposed the recordings that documented Nixon’s involvement in the cover-up and ultimately led to his resignation. —Douglass K. Daniel, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026

Leaders from across the party also publicly called for his resignation on social media after the chat logs were reported. —Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026

Carter submitted his resignation on Saturday, and the university accepted on Sunday. —Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 9 Mar. 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