withdrawal

American  

[with-draw-uhl, -drawl, with-] / wɪðˈdrɔ əl, -ˈdrɔl, wɪθ- /

noun

• withdrawals
  plural

1. Also withdrawment. the act or condition of withdrawing.

2. Pharmacology. the act or process of ceasing to use an addictive drug.

3. coitus interruptus.

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withdrawal British  

/ wɪðˈdrɔːəl /

noun

1. an act or process of withdrawing; retreat, removal, or detachment

2. the period a drug addict goes through following abrupt termination in the use of narcotics, usually characterized by physical and mental symptoms ( withdrawal symptoms )

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withdrawal Scientific  

/ wĭth-drô′əl,wĭth- /

1. Discontinuation of the use of an addictive substance. The symptoms of withdrawal include headache, diarrhea, and tremors and can range from mild to life threatening, depending on the extent of the body's reliance on the addictive substance.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• withdrawals
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of withdrawal

First recorded in 1740–50; withdraw + -al ²

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Explanation

Withdrawal is when you take something out, like making a withdrawal from your bank account. When you announced you were no longer running for president, your withdrawal from the race disappointed your many supporters. Withdrawal is also used to describe the painful experience that results when you stop taking an addictive drug (when you "take it out" of your system). The state of being emotionally detached is called withdrawal. If a country terminates an agreement like a treaty, that's a withdrawal too. Remember that withdrawal ends in "wal" and not just "wl."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

withdrawal withdrawals

An $80,000 income from $1.8 million equates to a 4.44% withdrawal rate in the first year, while an initial 4% withdrawal, adjusted for inflation in subsequent years, would give you $72,000 in the first year.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 24, 2026

A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said the withdrawal of the remains "reflected contemporary museum practice".

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

Capital Group landed on two withdrawal strategies that depend on the retiree’s goals and expenses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

Several other aspects of your household finances matter, but strictly from a tax standpoint, taking the money from savings is probably best because the withdrawal would not be taxable.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026

It was not that he pitied me but that he felt we were in the same boat for different reasons, and that I could understand his frustration just as he could countenance my withdrawal.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

It accuses Indyke of deliberately structuring cash withdrawals just below the $10,000 federal reporting threshold and cites a 2017 email in which Kahn wrote about the “latest batch of medical expenses for girls.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

Their lawyers have also said the cash withdrawals were authorized and reviewed by banks, and the estate’s assets have gone to resolve claims and pay taxes or operational expenses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

It should be noted he has cited medical reasons or the need to prioritise his mental health for his withdrawals from several tournaments in recent years.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

A page on the company's website showed a range of services were "partially unavailable" - including card payments, transfers, ATM withdrawals and its customer support services to be having issues.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

Was it possible—the tension, the withdrawals, the pillow-muted sobbing behind locked doors, all due to an out-of-order backbone?

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

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Related Words

• departure
• disengagement
• exit
• exodus
• resignation
• retirement

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