rejection

noun

re·​jec·​tion ri-ˈjek-shən 

1

a

: the action of rejecting : the state of being rejected

b

: an immune response in which foreign tissue (as of a skin graft or transplanted organ) is attacked by immune system components of the recipient organism

2

: something rejected

Synonyms of rejection

• denial

Examples of rejection in a Sentence

made a flat rejection of the charges against him

the judge's swift rejection of the lawyer's request for a recess

Recent Examples on the Web

Luna had two bouts of rejection doctors got under control. —Dawn White, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025

Bébé’s rejection of her child and her emotional detachment are a common response, according to doctors, who describe not just a disconnect by rape survivors to their children but even efforts by some women to harm babies born of the attacks. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025

Craig and O’Connor are a wonderful pair, the former firm with Blanc’s rejection of religion and the latter gently confident in Duplenticy’s Catholicism. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025

When people are receiving cyclosporine therapy to prevent rejection, magnesium can reduce the thickening of the kidney's vascular walls that the therapy can cause. —Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing rejection

• rejection letter
• rejection slip

Rhymes for rejection

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction

Kids Definition

rejection

noun

re·​jec·​tion ri-ˈjek-shən 

1

: the action of rejecting : the state of being rejected

2

: something rejected

3

: the process by which the immune system causes foreign tissue (as of a skin graft or transplanted organ) to separate from and stop functioning with the tissues of the animal or human being that has received it

Medical Definition

rejection

noun

re·​jec·​tion ri-ˈjek-shən 

1

: the action of rejecting or the state of being rejected

feelings of rejection

rejection of the atypical child by the … group

—G. S. Speer

2

: an immune response in which foreign tissue (as of a skin graft or transplanted organ) is attacked by immune system components (as antibodies, T cells, and macrophages) of the recipient organism

Legal Definition

rejection

noun

re·​jec·​tion ri-ˈjek-shən 

: the act or an instance of rejecting: as

a

: a refusal to accept an offer

b

: a refusal to accept nonconforming goods as performance of a contract

Note: Rejection and revocation are two remedies available to the buyer under the Uniform Commercial Code after the delivery of defective goods. Goods may be rejected if they do not conform to the contract. The rejection must be made within a reasonable period after delivery, before the goods have been accepted, and notice of the rejection must be given to the seller. Acceptance of the goods can be revoked if a defect substantially impairing their value to the buyer is discovered after acceptance, but such revocation must be made within a reasonable period after the buyer has discovered, or should have discovered, the defect.