waiver
Americannoun
-
Law.
-
an intentional relinquishment of some right, interest, or the like.
-
an express or written statement of such relinquishment.
-
-
Sports. an arrangement under which a professional player is released to become available to join a different team, which must then assume the player’s existing contract.
noun
-
the voluntary relinquishment, expressly or by implication, of some claim or right
-
the act or an instance of relinquishing a claim or right
-
a formal statement in writing of such relinquishment
Usage
What is a waiver? A waiver is an intentional or agreed upon release of your rights, usually in the form of a written contract. In the law, to waive your rights or interests is to purposely give them up. A waiver is this intentional giving up or the form that records your decision. Example: All you have to do to enter is to sign this waiver and give us your pass.
Etymology
Origin of waiver
First recorded in 1620–30; from Anglo-French weyver, noun use of weyver to waive; see -er 3
Explanation
A waiver is a formal statement giving up a right. If you go on a school trip, your mom might sign a waiver saying that the school is not responsible if you get hurt on the trip. When you sign a waiver, you’re voluntarily giving up a privilege or legal right. A waiver is often required before you participate in something dangerous. If you decide to go skydiving, you might have to sign a waiver agreeing that you won’t sue the skydiving company if you get injured. That means you’re assuming all the risk associated with the activity. Other types of waivers can involve officially declining various rights, such as a privacy waiver or an insurance waiver.
Vocabulary lists containing waiver
100 SAT words Beginning with W,X,Y, and Z
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Free Lunch
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Amari and the Night Brothers
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
But with the waiver set to end on Saturday, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar criticised "unilateral coercive measures", without naming any country.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
The family’s attempt to designate 36 grandchildren as beneficiaries was rejected due to issues with a spousal waiver.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
The temporary waiver is helping U.S. oil supply by allowing foreign vessels to deliver crude oil to domestic refiners.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
In her second term, the Orange County Democrat lost her coveted spot on the Financial Services Committee after she listed it as her third choice and requested a waiver to stay on it.
From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026
Then I pull the football waiver from my pocket and slide it into the center of the table.
From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle
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.
