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

The practice is so unusual that an internal waiver justifying the choice is typically required.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026

An infusion of new funds approved by Congress this year and a waiver of eligibility procedures have staved off a potential crisis that would have left 4,200 back on the street.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026

A notice published on the Treasury's website on Tuesday said it would allow a wind-down period to 17 July for transactions that had been allowed under the waiver.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

The waiver was supposed to be in place for two months and could then have been extended.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 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

If a legislator is visiting for an inspection, they are now required to present privacy waivers for each detainee they want to speak with, which must be signed by the detainee.

From Salon ● Jul. 17, 2026

“All required licenses, waivers and permissions needed for the relevant financial transactions will be granted by the United States of America,” the memorandum reads.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026

The plea bargain contained a number of waivers.

From Slate ● Jun. 18, 2026

Under the memorandum, Iran is expected to keep the Strait of Hormuz open during a 60-day negotiating period and receive sanctions waivers allowing it to sell oil while talks continue.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

At that time I hadn’t seen the suspects—just examined their possessions and arranged the extradition waivers.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

Related Words

• postponement
• remission