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

But given past underreporting, it will also require "decisive corrective measures to support the authorities' request for a waiver regarding the misreporting of data", the IMF said in a statement.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

The waiver has let California obtain more fuel from Gulf of Mexico refineries, which has reduced the spread between the state’s gasoline prices and the national average by about 25 cents a gallon.

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

The group warned Mayor Grabarek about the situation and asked that the council deny Greenberg’s request for a zoning waiver that would allow him to build even more properties in Edgemont.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

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

But Scott, who played for the Chicago Bears in 2023 and 2024, has made an impression that could land him on the practice squad if he is cut and clears waivers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 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

The U.S. had agreed to the waivers last June as part of an interim peace agreement with Iran.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026

Some of the schools charge up to ninety dollars, and since I’m what they like to call “low income,” Mr. Ingman is teaching me how to apply for waivers.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez

Related Words

• postponement
• remission