abdication
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of abdication
First recorded in 1545–55, abdication is from the Latin word abdicātiōn- (stem of abdicātiō ). See abdicate, -ion
Explanation
Abdication is the formal act of stepping down from something, especially a king giving up the throne. An abdication is a type of resignation. When a king — or another person in power — gives up that position, they abdicate. Such an act is then called an abdication. The roots of this word mean declare in Latin, and that's an important part of the meaning. Abdicating isn't just quitting: it's formally quitting, including a declaration of quitting. There’s no such thing as a private abdication. After an abdication, there's a vacuum of power, and there may be a power struggle to fill the empty position.
Vocabulary lists containing abdication
Vocabulary From the Ninth Democratic Debate, April 14, 2016
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Breadcrumbs
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The Family Romanov
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The abdication of curatorial responsibility here might have been at least partially forgivable if the show were stuffed with so much engaging work that finding a unifying through-line proved nearly impossible.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026
My organization, UltraViolet, has been one of the leaders in the campaign to hold Meta accountable for its total abdication of the duty to protect users on its platform.
From Salon • Sep. 24, 2025
It also alleged that the university’s “cowardly abdication of its duty to ensure unfettered access to UCLA’s educational opportunities” violated the students’ freedom of speech and other rights.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 29, 2025
Regardless, Borkowski is clear on the strategy - Gimme A Hug, like the album, isn't a response track, it's an abdication from the fight.
From BBC • Feb. 22, 2025
Wilhelm fled across the Dutch border to take refuge in neutral Holland, where he signed his formal abdication as king of Prussia and German emperor.
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
