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 letter to the Trinity Cathedral community, Bishop Ketlen Solak said over the weekend that Smith had tendered his resignation, which was accepted. —Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026

The furor triggered the resignations of the BBC’s top executive and its head of news last year. —ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026

Before Redzepi’s resignation, tickets for Noma’s LA pop-up had sold out. —Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 16 Mar. 2026

Facing mounting pressure in late 2024, the Board of Supervisors simultaneously called for Corpus’ resignation, initiated civil grand jury proceedings and placed a special election before voters that would give the board direct power to remove her. —Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 15 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