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

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

The plot follows Máxima from her wedding preparations up to the coronation 10 years later, when Willem-Alexander becomes King, following the abdication of his mother, Queen Beatrix. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Oct. 2024

Voluntary abdication has become a pattern for the royal family of the world's wealthiest country, and the ceremony will instate Prince Guillaume as Lieutenant-Representative for his father. —Janine Henni, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024

Queen Margrethe of Denmark made history with her own abdication earlier this year. —Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 24 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined above