English Reference
noun

rejection

n.
US /ɹiˈdʒɛkʃən/ UK /ɹɪdʒˈɛkʃən/ re·jec·tion UK spelling rejection's, rejection's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the act of saying no to an idea, a request, or a person.

    the act of refusing to accept, agree to, or believe something; often used in professional or romantic contexts.

    Simple

    He felt a bit sad after the rejection of his job application.

    In context

    The author faced multiple rejections from major publishing houses before finally securing a contract for her debut novel.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    when a person's body attacks a new organ after a transplant operation.

    an immune response in which a host organism's immune system attacks a foreign biological tissue, such as a transplanted organ.

    Simple

    Doctors monitored the patient closely for any signs of organ rejection.

    In context

    Advances in immunosuppressant therapy have significantly reduced the risk of acute rejection following heart transplant surgery.

    Usage

    Often used with the verb 'to experience' or 'to suffer'.

    graft failure
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Informal Sport

    in sports like basketball, the act of stopping an opponent's shot.

    the act of blocking an opponent's shot, particularly in basketball.

    Simple

    The crowd cheered after the defender's spectacular rejection at the rim.

    In context

    The center's defensive dominance was defined by his ability to provide a clean rejection without committing a foul.

Usage rejection negatively · rejection obviously · rejection of mainly

Five Arab countries and Turkey, Pakistan and Indonesia condemned Israel's rejection of the plan, saying in a joint statement on Sunday that it threatens Trump's efforts to end the war in Gaza.

BreakingNews.ie· 16 Aug 2026

His most recent rejection, received on 31 July, stated that Hamid had not provided evidence of “working alongside, in partnership with or closely supporting a UK government department”.

The Guardian· 16 Aug 2026

From French réjection or directly from Latin reiectiōnem, accusative of Latin reiectiō. Displaced native Old English āworpennes (literally “thrown-out-ness”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin reiectiō
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated