resignation

noun

res·​ig·​na·​tion ˌre-zig-ˈnā-shən 

1

a

: an act or instance of resigning something : surrender

b

: a formal notification of resigning

2

: the quality or state of being resigned : submissiveness

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

That would be on top of HUD staffing cuts and resignations that have depleted the agency under Trump. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 4 July 2025

Urban Corps did not respond to questions about Sierra’s claim in his resignation letter that Bernstein had sought to conceal Kennedy’s improper use of nonprofit workers to remake his personal property. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025

Earlier this year, dozens of international Fulbright awards were revoked with no clear explanation, prompting the resignation of the entire Foreign Scholarship Board. —Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025

This year, our list of songs reflect frustration, anger, angst, resignation, but also, a sliver of hope. —Leila Cobo, Billboard, 3 July 2025

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