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

Other Words from waive Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about waive

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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 Late fees have been waived through June 4 for driver's license or ID card renewals, vehicle registration renewals, title transactions, off-road vehicle and snowmobile registration renewals, and salvage titles. — Ethan May, The Indianapolis Star, "Some Hoosiers are seeing a 2-week wait for a BMV appointment. Here's what to know.," 16 May 2020 Also, road tests for teens will be waived under certain stringent conditions. — Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "DOT sets up pilot program to deal with backlog for Wisconsin driver licenses during pandemic," 5 May 2020 For anyone who wishes to cancel a reservation, fees will be waived for campsites held through April 30. — Scott Horner, Indianapolis Star, "How you can still enjoy the outdoors while keeping your distance," 3 Apr. 2020 Libraries All buildings and book drops of the Harris County Public Library system remain closed and late fees will be waived during the crisis. — Brandon Moeller, Houston Chronicle, "Farmers markets, events and services find ways to carry on in northwest Houston during COVID-19 spread," 2 Apr. 2020 And, because Supreme's stores are currently closed in the United States, United Kingdom, and France due to COVID-19, all shipping fees will be waived on orders over $150. — Connor Hoffman, Car and Driver, "Lamborghini Collaborates with Supreme for Spring 2020 Collection," 1 Apr. 2020 Forest National Park Petrified Forest National Park is open and entrance fees have been waived. — Lyndsey Matthews, Good Housekeeping, "Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Other National Parks Close Due to Coronavirus," 25 Mar. 2020 Banks’ minimum balance norms and cash withdrawal fees from ATMs, too, have been waived off. — Niharika Sharma, Quartz India, "India shuts down tonight to debug itself of coronavirus. Will reboot after 21 days," 24 Mar. 2020 Interest rates on federal student loans are being waived and borrowers have been granted permission to suspend payments for two months. — Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, "The Disunited States of America," 23 Mar. 2020

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

26 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Waive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waive. Accessed 5 Jun. 2020.

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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.