resignation

American  

[rez-ig-ney-shuhn] / ˌrɛz ɪgˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

resignations plural

1. the act of resigning.

   Synonyms:

   abdication

2. a formal statement, document, etc., stating that one gives up an office, position, etc.

   Synonyms:

   abdication

3. an accepting, unresisting attitude, state, etc.; submission; acquiescence.

   to meet one's fate with resignation.

   Synonyms:

   forbearance, compliance, patience

   Antonyms:

   recalcitrance

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resignation British  

/ ˌrɛzɪɡˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of resigning

2. a formal document stating one's intention to resign

3. a submissive unresisting attitude; passive acquiescence

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Usage

What does resignation mean? Resignation is the act of resigning—quitting one’s job or giving up one’s position. In this context, it can also refer to the formal statement or document that announces a person’s intention to resign. This sense of the word is often used with the verb tender, meaning to formally offer or present, as in I’ve tendered my resignation, effective immediately. It can also be used as a modifier, as in resignation letter. Resignation can also mean an accepting, unresisting attitude or state of submission, as in There is a sense of resignation in the room now that most of the votes are in and there doesn’t appear to be any path to victory. Example: Several senior officials have tendered their resignations, but it’s unclear whether they will be accepted.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonresignation
  noun
• proresignation
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• resignations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of resignation

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin resignātiōn-, stem of resignātiō “cancellation, rescinding,” from Latin resignāt(us) “canceled” (past participle of resignāre “to open, release, cancel”; see resign) + -iō -ion

Explanation

Resignation can mean either stepping down from a job or accepting an unpleasant but inevitable situation. You could even feel resignation as you announce your resignation. Once you've announced or handed in your formal resignation to a job, organization, or political office, you're finished. You've formally quit or stepped down. If you've left the position due to budget cuts, you'll probably leave with a feeling of resignation — acknowledging that there's absolutely nothing you can do about it.

Example Sentences

On the day Starmer announced his resignation, Burnham was sworn into parliament, becoming an MP again following his stint between 2001 and 2017.

From Barron's • Jul. 9, 2026

But that changed shortly after Sir Keir's resignation, when he instead endorsed Burnham and indicated he would not fight for the leadership.

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2026

His resignation will trigger a by-election in the coming months for his seat in Clacton-on-Sea in eastern England, which he won handily in 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 9, 2026

The video led lawmakers in Quebec to vote unanimously to demand Rousseau’s resignation, and Carney at the time said Rousseau and the company’s board should be held accountable for a lapse in judgment and compassion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2026

Euwe, in grandmasterly fashion, thoroughly outplayed Bobby until they reached the twentieth move, at which point Bobby, realizing that his position was hopeless, toppled his king in resignation.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• departure
• retirement
• surrender
• termination
• withdrawal