English Reference
noun

resignation

n.
US /ˌɹɛzəɡˈneɪʃən/ UK /ɹɪzɪɡnˈeɪʃən/ res·ig·na·tion UK spelling resignation's, resignation's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the act of officially telling your employer that you are leaving your job.

    the formal act of giving up or quitting a position, office, or employment.

    Simple

    The manager handed in his resignation after finding a better job in another city.

    In context

    Following the scandal, the board of directors demanded the immediate resignation of the chief executive to restore public confidence in the firm.

    Usage

    Often used with the verbs 'hand in', 'tender', or 'submit'.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    a formal letter or document that says you are leaving your job.

    a written or oral notification stating that one is resigning from a post.

    Simple

    She spent the afternoon writing her letter of resignation.

    In context

    The official's resignation was brief and professional, offering no specific reasons for his sudden departure from the ministry.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

    the feeling that you must accept something difficult or sad because you cannot change it.

    a state of quiet, uncomplaining endurance or submission to an unpleasant but unavoidable situation.

    Simple

    He sighed with resignation when he saw the long line at the airport.

    In context

    There was a sense of weary resignation in her voice as she acknowledged that the project would never receive the necessary funding.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense describes a psychological state; it is often paired with verbs like 'sigh' or 'shrug'.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency ArchaicTechnical Law

    an old legal way of returning land to a superior person in the past.

    the formal act by which a vassal returns a land holding into the hands of a superior.

    Simple

    The ancient document recorded the resignation of the lands to the crown.

    In context

    The historian examined the records of resignation to understand how land ownership shifted during the feudal period.

Usage resignation last

Marlaska, who already went to Ceuta hours after the outbreak of the crisis along with the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has returned to the autonomous city amid whistles, boos and shouts of "Government resignation".

The Local· 14 Aug 2026

Chandrasekaran's resignation, which comes days ahead of Tata Sons' annual general meeting, points to tensions that have been playing out for months after a boardroom power battle erupted between trustees.

BBC News· 12 Aug 2026

From Middle English resignacion, resignacioun, from Old French resignation, from Medieval Latin resignātiōnem, accusative of resignātio. Equivalent to resign + -ation.

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

This entry
Origin la-med resignātiōnem
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated