cancels; US canceled or British cancelled; US canceling or British cancelling
1
: to stop doing or planning to do (something) : to decide that something (such as a game, performance, etc.) will not happen
The event was canceled at the last minute when the speaker didn't show up.
We canceled our dinner reservation.
My flight was canceled because of the storm.
She canceled her appointment with the dentist.
I'm sorry, but I have to cancel. Can we meet next week?
2
: to cause (something) to end or no longer produce a certain effect : to stop (something) from being effective or valid
He canceled his insurance policy last month.
We canceled our magazine subscription when we moved.
Please cancel my order.
The bank canceled my credit card.
If you subscribe online, you can cancel at any time.
3
: to put a mark with a set of ink lines on something (such as a stamp) so that it cannot be used again
a canceled stamp
Cite this Entry
“Cancel.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/cancel. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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