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

Marrying aged 16 or 17 remains legal in 33 US states with parental consent or a judicial waiver.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

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

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026

A tariff waiver can mean billions for one company and bankruptcy for its rival.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 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

And my football waiver is torn into a hundred pieces, scattered all over the living room like confetti.

From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle

There are other funds on the list below with temporary waivers of portions of their expenses.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

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

U.S., a case that received a surprisingly good opinion that deals with the legality of plea bargains and appeal waivers.

From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026

Minnesota is undergoing a major initiative that is expected to cap costs for individual care waivers, but the details are still being finalized.

From Barron's ● Jun. 20, 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