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

In a series of increasingly tense calls, Altman demanded the resignations of board members who had moved to fire him. —Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026

Sides’ resignation is effective immediately, according to a county news release issued Monday. —Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026

The movement forced the resignation of the government and exposed the fragility of the state’s political and economic order. —Jasmin Lilian Diab, The Conversation, 5 Apr. 2026

Just two weeks after becoming pope in 2013 – after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI – Francis observed Holy Thursday by washing the feet of inmates in a youth detention center. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 4 Apr. 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