resignation

noun

res·​ig·​na·​tion ˌre-zig-ˈnā-shən 

1

a

: an act or instance of resigning something : surrender

b

: a formal notification of resigning

2

: the quality or state of being resigned : submissiveness

Examples of resignation in a Sentence

The chairman accepted their resignations.

The manager received resignations from three members of the staff.

We accepted the news with resignation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Analysts at Leerink Partners wrote in a Monday note that the effect of Marks’ resignation on biotech and pharmaceutical stocks will depend in part on who replaces him at the FDA and whether Republicans in the White House and Congress start to lose patience with his approach. —Jacob Pramuk, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025

He is slated to leave effective April 5, according to his resignation letter, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal on Friday. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025

The prince is often watching things happen with an air of resignation in the novel. —Anthony Paletta, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025

Members of the Bay State’s congressional delegation joined the firestorm of outrage surrounding disclosure of U.S. attack plans on an unsecure chat app, calling for the resignation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, even as the Trump administration insisted no classified material was revealed. —Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for resignation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

resignation

noun

res·​ig·​na·​tion ˌrez-ig-ˈnā-shən 

1

a

: an act of resigning

b

: a formal notice of this act

2

: the quality or the feeling of a person who is resigned