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

Calvo said the role, which functioned much like a city manager, is unnecessary in Hialeah’s strong-mayor system and will remain vacant following Ismare Monreal’s resignation. —Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026

Gray has been in office since 2023, following the sudden resignation of his predecessor. —Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026

President Andrew Johnson’s 1868 impeachment and Richard Nixon’s 1974 resignation are also intact. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026

For now, references to Presidents Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton being impeached in 1868 and 1998, respectively, remain as part of their portrait labels, as does President Richard Nixon’s 1974 resignation as a result of the Watergate scandal. —Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 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