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revocation

American  
[rev-uh-key-shuhn] / ˌrɛv əˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. the act of revoking; annulment.

  2. Law. nullification or withdrawal, especially of an offer to contract.


revocation British  
/ ˌrɛvəˈkeɪʃən, ˈrɛvəkətərɪ, -trɪ /

noun

  1. the act of revoking or state of being revoked; cancellation

    1. the cancellation or annulment of a legal instrument, esp a will

    2. the withdrawal of an offer, power of attorney, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does revocation mean? Revocation is the withdrawal or cancellation of something. Revocation is a noun form of the verb revoke, which means to take back, withdraw, or cancel. Revoke and revocation are typically used in the context of officially taking back or cancelling some kind of right, status, or privilege that has already been given or approved. Passports and laws are subject to revocation, for example. In the context of law, revocation typically refers to the withdrawal of an offer or the nullification of a legal contract like a will. Example: The revocation of your privileges was a consequence of your repeated rule violations.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of revocation

1375–1425; late Middle English revocacion < Latin revocātiōn- (stem of revocātiō ) a calling back, equivalent to revocāt ( us ) (past participle of revocāre to revoke ) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

After revocation, something has been officially taken away. You might protest the revocation of your car privilege if your parents take it away because you hit the mailbox again. Revocation refers to the cancelling or annulment of something by some authority. When revocation happens, a privilege, title, or status is removed from someone. If the library revokes your library card, you can no longer take out library books — that's a type of revocation. If a restaurant is dirty, that could result in the revocation of its health license. If a lawyer breaks the law, it could lead to the revocation of his license to practice law.

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Vocabulary lists containing revocation

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.

The concert, which was also supposed to feature bands Crypta, Skeletal Remains and Revocation, was canceled after the collapse occurred earlier that evening.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2023

The venue’s Facebook page said the bands scheduled to perform were Morbid Angel, Crypta, Skeletal Remains and Revocation.

From Washington Times • Apr. 1, 2023

“He should have been released,” said Lorraine McEvilley, director of the Parole Revocation Defense Unit at the Legal Aid Society.

From New York Times • Sep. 21, 2021

Revocation of a broadcast license by the Federal Communications Commission has been rare throughout its history, especially since the FCC deregulated its licensing requirements in the 1980s, said veteran communications lawyer Andrew Jay Schwartzman.

From Washington Post • Jul. 14, 2011

Nantes, Revocation of the Edict of, 3, 4.

From A Week at Waterloo in 1815 Lady De Lancey's Narrative: Being an Account of How She Nursed Her Husband, Colonel Sir William Howe De Lancey, Quartermaster-General of the Army, Mortally Wounded in the Great Battle by Lancey, Magdalene de

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