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

The mass resignations exacerbated an already politically fraught situation for Adams, who’s up for reelection this June. —Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025

In addition, 500 employees, including 172 NWS employees, accepted a deferred resignation and began their administrative leave the next day. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2025

The cuts come as the State Department is hemorrhaging senior staff members via voluntary resignations, and a hiring freeze means the workforce is shrinking through attrition. —arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025

The deciding factor was when four top deputy mayors announced their resignations after the Justice Department moved to dismiss Mr. Adams’s five-count federal indictment. —Jeffery C. Mays, New York Times, 6 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