abdication

noun

ab·​di·​ca·​tion ˌab-di-ˈkā-shən 

plural abdications

: an act of abdicating: such as

a

: an act of giving up sovereign power or high office

The desire of King Edward VIII to marry divorced U.S. socialite Wallis Simpson led to the king's abdication in 1936, an event that also brought Harry, his father Prince Charles and his brother, Prince William, into the line of succession.

—Martha Ross

From the advent of Alexander the Great, in 332 B.C., to the abdication of King Farouk, in 1952, the country was ruled without interruption by non-Egyptians.

—Milton Viorst

b

: an act of abandoning or discarding a right, responsibility, etc.

an abdication of authority

The militants took the liberties of Europe as a sign of moral and political abdication.

—Fouad Ajami

When the majority throws up its hands because the problems are too tough, that's simply an abdication of responsibility.

—Michael S. Serrill

Examples of abdication in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Felipe is a relatively popular figure, who ascended the throne after the abdication of his father. —Atika Shubert, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024

While some European monarchs reign until death, voluntary abdication has become an unofficial custom in Luxembourg. —Janine Henni, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024

American political dysfunction has led to an enormous loss of life, severe economic hardship, and an abdication of international leadership. —Mireya Solís, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2020

In one of the most egregious abdications in recent journalistic history, CBS, which is hosting the debate, has said its moderators will not fact-check either candidate. —Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined above