resign

[ri-zahyn]

verb (used without object)

1. to give up an office or position, often formally (often followed byfrom ).

   to resign from the presidency.

   Synonyms: withdraw

2. to submit; yield.

   to resign before the inevitable.

verb (used with object)

1. to give up (an office, position, etc.), often formally.

   Synonyms: leave, quit, renounce, abdicate

2. to relinquish (a right, claim, agreement, etc.).

   Synonyms: cede, surrender, give up, forgo

3. to give or sign over, as to the control or care of another.

   She resigned her child to an adoption agency.

4. to submit (oneself, one's mind, etc.) without resistance.

resign

/ rɪˈzaɪn /

verb

1. to give up tenure of (a job, office, etc)

2. (tr) to reconcile (oneself) to; yield

   to resign oneself to death

3. (tr) to give up (a right, claim, etc); relinquish

   he resigned his claim to the throne

Other Word Forms

• resigner noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of resign¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English resignen, from Middle French resigner, from Latin resignāre “to open, release, cancel,” literally, “to seal back,” from re- re- + signāre “to mark, seal” ( sign )

Word History and Origins

Origin of resign¹

C14: from Old French resigner , from Latin resignāre to unseal, invalidate, destroy, from _re- + signāre to seal; see _sign

Example Sentences

He added: "My resignation letter might clarify my reasons for resigning. It might also serve to inform misconceptions which may have arisen for committee members and viewers."

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A previous US attorney resigned rather than try the case.

Read more on Salon

Shah said he "applauded" Turness for doing the "honourable and proper" thing and stepping down as CEO of News, but said he did not think "that meant that the director general had also to resign".

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"The board wished that the director general had not resigned. He had our full confidence throughout," he said.

Read more on Barron's

But on Davie, he said: "I wish, and the board wishes, that the director general had not resigned. He had our full confidence throughout."

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When To Use

What does resign mean?

Resign most commonly means to give up one’s job or position.When used this way, resign can be used without an object, as in He resigned yesterday, or with one, as in She is expected to resign her position. In its general sense, resign means to yield or submit, as in When he knew he couldn’t possibly win the match, he decided to resign. Example: They say he resigned on his own, but I think he was forced out.