waiver
Americannoun
-
Law.
-
an intentional relinquishment of some right, interest, or the like.
-
an express or written statement of such relinquishment.
-
-
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.
noun
-
the voluntary relinquishment, expressly or by implication, of some claim or right
-
the act or an instance of relinquishing a claim or right
-
a formal statement in writing of such relinquishment
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.
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.
Vocabulary lists containing waiver
100 SAT words Beginning with W,X,Y, and Z
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Free Lunch
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Amari and the Night Brothers
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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 U.S. extended its own sanctions waiver on Russian oil stranded at sea by 30 days earlier this week.
From Barron's • May 20, 2026
Meanwhile, the U.K. has also eased its sanctions, with a trade waiver allowing the importation of Russian oil refined into diesel and jet fuel in third countries.
From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026
Meanwhile, investors are also monitoring the expiry of a U.S. sanctions waiver allowing purchases of Russian oil cargoes through May 16, which could further tighten supply conditions, according to market watchers.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026
In her second term, the Orange County Democrat lost her coveted spot on the Financial Services Committee after she listed it as her third choice and requested a waiver to stay on it.
From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026
And my football waiver is torn into a hundred pieces, scattered all over the living room like confetti.
From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
