withdrawal

noun

with·​draw·​al wit͟h-ˈdrȯ(-ə)l 

with-

1

a

: the act of taking back or away something that has been granted or possessed

b

: removal from a place of deposit or investment

c(1)

: the discontinuance of administration or use of a drug

(2)

: the syndrome of often painful physical and psychological symptoms that follows discontinuance of an addicting drug

a heroin addict going through withdrawal

2

a

: retreat or retirement especially into a more secluded or less exposed place or position

b

: an operation by which a military force disengages from the enemy

c(1)

: social or emotional detachment

(2)

: a pathological retreat from objective reality (as in some schizophrenic states)

3

: retraction, revocation

threatened us with withdrawal of consent

4

a

: the act of drawing someone or something back from or out of a place or position

b

: coitus interruptus

Synonyms of withdrawal

• retreat
• retirement

Examples of withdrawal in a Sentence

The general authorized the withdrawal of troops from the fields.

She made a withdrawal from her checking account.

He underwent rehab to help him through his withdrawal from heroin.

She experienced symptoms of nicotine withdrawal after she quit smoking.

Recent Examples on the Web

The abrupt withdrawal of Microsoft's co-founder dealt a fresh blow to a flagship event already marred by organisational lapses, a robot row and complaints of traffic chaos. —Aditya Soni, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026

No reason was provided for the abrupt withdrawal. —Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026

The Continent’s expectations for what a peace deal should consist of, including a full Russian withdrawal from Ukrainian territory and tens of billions in Russian compensation, are entirely unrealistic given the facts on the ground. —Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026

The maximum amount allowed is $1,000,000 — and there are early withdrawal penalties as well. —Matt Richardson, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

withdrawal

noun

with·​draw·​al wit͟h-ˈdrȯ(-ə)l 

with-

1

: an act or instance of withdrawing

especially : a removal of money from a bank account

2

a

: the stopping of the use or giving of a drug and especially a habit-forming drug

b

: the group of often painful physical and emotional symptoms that occur when use of a habit-forming drug is stopped

Medical Definition

withdrawal

noun

with·​draw·​al -ˈdrȯ(ə-)l 

1

a

: a pathological retreat from objective reality (as in some schizophrenic states)

b

: social or emotional detachment

2

a

: the discontinuance of administration or use of a drug

b

: the syndrome of often painful physical and psychological symptoms that follows discontinuance of an addicting substance

a heroin addict going through withdrawal

3

: coitus interruptus

Legal Definition

withdrawal

noun

with·​draw·​al

1

: the act or fact of withdrawing

withdrawal from a conspiracy

2

: removal of money from a place of deposit or investment