rejection

[ri-jek-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of rejecting.

   Synonyms: elimination, dismissal, refusal

2. the state of being rejected.

   Synonyms: elimination, dismissal, refusal

3. something that is rejected.

rejection

1. A process in which the immune system of a body attacks an organ or tissue, either its own or tissue transplanted into it from another organism. (See xenotransplantation.)

Rejection is the most serious problem faced in surgery involving organ transplants. Drugs are used to suppress the immune system after organ transplant in order to prevent the rejection of and eventual death of the transplanted tissue.

Other Word Forms

• nonrejection noun
• prerejection noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rejection¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin rējectiōn-, stem of rējectiō “a throwing back”; equivalent to reject + -ion

Example Sentences

In some patients, they found that kidney function from the transplanted organ remained stable for decades without the need for ongoing drugs to prevent rejection.

Read more on Science Daily

But each application was met with either radio silence or a rejection.

Read more on BBC

Her vocal delivery exuded fearlessness, individuality and a flat-out rejection of prior female role models, inspiring Madonna, Blondie, the Cars, the Clash, Sonic Youth and many other punk, new wave and alternative rockers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In particular, Hamas announced, “The Palestinian factions also stressed their rejection of any clause related to disarming Gaza.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

An October analysis by RBC Capital Markets found that drug approvals slowed and rejections increased in recent months.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• elimination 
• exclusion 
• repudiation 
• veto