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

Among many Niger Deltans, there’s a mixture of ignorance, nonchalance, and clenched resignation around the industry’s environmental dangers, which take a back seat as folks get on with the business of everyday survival. —Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026

The majority of the resignation letter Carvajal posted on social media, however, focused on the fact that the chats were leaked —- rather than the content of the chat itself. —Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026

Republican Mike Caruso, who represented the area in the state House until his resignation in 2025, won reelection in 2024 by 19 points. —Justin Papp, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026

Kent did meet with both Vance and Gabbard on Tuesday, one day prior to tendering his resignation, people familiar with the meeting told the Washington Examiner. —Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 22 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