rejection

noun

re·​jec·​tion ri-ˈjek-shən How to pronounce rejection (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rather than accepting these rejections, Green decided to self-publish. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 Bibi believes this rejection of woke culture and equality is leading to a growing hatred among these young boys. Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025 For two decades Borucki refined his proposals, only to meet with multiple rejections. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025 Somehow, despite initial adverse court rulings and rejections from the city’s building and legal departments, Avila obtained permits to build on seven acres of the 20-acre island without platting the land where Vita stands. Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rejection

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rejection was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rejection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rejection. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

rejection

noun
re·​jec·​tion ri-ˈjek-shən How to pronounce rejection (audio)
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 How to pronounce rejection (audio)
1
: the action of rejecting or the state of being rejected
feelings of rejection
rejection of the atypical child by the … groupG. 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 How to pronounce rejection (audio)
: 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.

More from Merriam-Webster on rejection

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