waiver

American  

[wey-ver] / ˈweɪ vər /

noun

• waivers
  plural

1. Law.

   1. an intentional relinquishment of some right, interest, or the like.

   2. an express or written statement of such relinquishment.

2. 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.

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waiver British  

/ ˈweɪvə /

noun

1. the voluntary relinquishment, expressly or by implication, of some claim or right

2. the act or an instance of relinquishing a claim or right

3. a formal statement in writing of such relinquishment

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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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• waivers
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

waiver waivers

U.S. carriers are angry that the waiver has reduced the shipping premiums they can charge.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

My friend inherited the house and hopes to retain it under the Medicaid hardship waiver.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026

He’d draw attention from other teams on the waiver wire or as a free agent.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

By one estimate, the waiver could be worth more than $100 million.

From Slate ● Aug. 10, 2026

And my football waiver is torn into a hundred pieces, scattered all over the living room like confetti.

From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle

Several other cheeses are expected to receive similar waivers, allowing farmers to feed livestock with grass and hay brought in from outside their strict geographical zone.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

And even strong Jones Act supporters recognize that waivers can be appropriate when genuine shortages arise and the existing fleet can’t meet the need.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

He was with the Browns for fewer than two weeks after the Philadelphia Eagles signed him as an undrafted free agent and placed him on waivers in early August.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

The Center for Biological Diversity has sued the government to block the project, alleging the waivers violated the Constitution.

From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026

At that time I hadn’t seen the suspects—just examined their possessions and arranged the extradition waivers.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

Related Words

• postponement
• remission