waive

verb

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\ ˈwāv

waived; waiving

Definition of waive

transitive verb

1a : to relinquish (something, such as a legal right) voluntarily waive a jury trial

b : to refrain from pressing or enforcing (something, such as a claim or rule) : forgo waive the fee

2 : to put off from immediate consideration : postpone

3 [influenced by wave entry 1] : to dismiss with or as if with a wave of the hand waived the problem aside

4 : to place (a ball player) on waivers also : to release after placing on waivers

5 : to throw away (stolen goods)

6 archaic : give up, forsake

7 archaic : to shunt aside (a danger or duty) : evade

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Choose the Right Synonym for waive

relinquish, yield, resign, surrender, abandon, waive mean to give up completely. relinquish usually does not imply strong feeling but may suggest some regret, reluctance, or weakness. relinquished her crown yield implies concession or compliance or submission to force. the troops yielded ground grudgingly resign emphasizes voluntary relinquishment or sacrifice without struggle. resigned her position surrender implies a giving up after a struggle to retain or resist. surrendered their claims abandon stresses finality and completeness in giving up. abandoned all hope waive implies conceding or forgoing with little or no compulsion. waived the right to a trial by jury

Examples of waive in a Sentence

She waived her right to a lawyer. The university waives the application fee for low-income students.

Recent Examples on the Web Immigration officers are given discretion to waive some eligibility factors for good cause when necessary. — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, "Essential Foreign Workers Key To Pandemic Relief And U.S. Recovery," 19 Apr. 2021 Drug companies have rejected pleas from India, South Africa and other countries to waive patent protection for their vaccines. — Los Angeles Times, "Column: The pandemic won’t end anywhere until it’s under control everywhere," 14 Apr. 2021 Additionally, the airline will continue to waive change fees for Basic Economy tickets purchased through April 30 as well as any ticket for a flight that originates outside of North America. — Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, "Delta to Stop Blocking Middle Seats Starting May 1," 31 Mar. 2021 The County Board of Supervisors on April 6 will consider a proposal to waive events fees — which normally go to the county’s departments of health, parks and recreation, fire authority and Sheriff’s department — for all of fiscal year 2021-2022. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "San Diego County considers waiving permit fees to help struggling events businesses," 26 Mar. 2021 Daviess County Fiscal Court and the Owensboro City Commission are preparing to waive license fees for restaurants and bars to help ease the burden of the coronavirus pandemic, the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, "Tree boom, suncatchers, tracing changes: News from around our 50 states," 10 Dec. 2020 The Homer Glen Village Board voted Wednesday to waive business license renewal fees for 2021 and to discount liquor and gaming fees by 25% in an attempt to help businesses facing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. — Michelle Mullins, chicagotribune.com, "Homer Glen waives business license fees, reduces cost for liquor, gaming permits," 29 Oct. 2020 The council also expressed willingness to waive at least 50% of any permitting fees Griffith Public Schools would need to pay for its projects this year. — Michelle L. Quinn, chicagotribune.com, "After a year, Griffith brings back golf cart ordinance," 22 Apr. 2021 In 2008, state lawmakers voted to waive those limits in select areas like collecting state fees. — Tim Gruver, Washington Examiner, "Washington Republicans make last-ditch effort to curb Inslee's emergency powers," 19 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'waive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

7 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Waive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waive. Accessed 7 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for waive

waive

verb

English Language Learners Definition of waive

: to officially say that you will not use or require something that you are allowed to have or that is usually required

See the full definition for waive in the English Language Learners Dictionary

waive

verb

\ ˈwāv

waived; waiving

Kids Definition of waive

: to give up claim to

waive

transitive verb

\ ˈwāv

waived; waiving

Legal Definition of waive

1 : to relinquish (as a right or privilege) voluntarily and intentionally the defendant waived a felony hearing on the charge — National Law Journal — compare forfeit, reserve

2 : to refrain from enforcing or requiring some statutes waive the age requirement— W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.