resign

[ri-zahyn]

verb (used without object)

1. to give up an office or position, often formally (often followed byfrom ).

   to resign from the presidency.

   Synonyms: withdraw

2. to submit; yield.

   to resign before the inevitable.

verb (used with object)

1. to give up (an office, position, etc.), often formally.

   Synonyms: leave, quit, renounce, abdicate

2. to relinquish (a right, claim, agreement, etc.).

   Synonyms: cede, surrender, give up, forgo

3. to give or sign over, as to the control or care of another.

   She resigned her child to an adoption agency.

4. to submit (oneself, one's mind, etc.) without resistance.

resign

/ rɪˈzaɪn /

verb

1. to give up tenure of (a job, office, etc)

2. (tr) to reconcile (oneself) to; yield

   to resign oneself to death

3. (tr) to give up (a right, claim, etc); relinquish

   he resigned his claim to the throne

Other Word Forms

• resigner noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of resign¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English resignen, from Middle French resigner, from Latin resignāre “to open, release, cancel,” literally, “to seal back,” from re- re- + signāre “to mark, seal” ( sign )

Word History and Origins

Origin of resign¹

C14: from Old French resigner , from Latin resignāre to unseal, invalidate, destroy, from _re- + signāre to seal; see _sign

Example Sentences

His appearance came days after he suddenly fired the new CDC director, Susan Monarez, provoking a group of senior staffers to resign in protest.

From BBC

She also resigned as deputy leader of the Labour Party.

From BBC

Angela Rayner has resigned as deputy prime minister, housing secretary and the deputy leader of the Labour Party, after admitting she underpaid tax after buying a flat in Hove.

From BBC

She resigned as deputy prime minister and housing secretary after admitting she did not pay enough tax on the purchase of a new home.

From BBC

If she resigns as the party's deputy leader, a contest to replace her would begin.

From BBC

When To Use

What does resign mean?

Resign most commonly means to give up one’s job or position.When used this way, resign can be used without an object, as in He resigned yesterday, or with one, as in She is expected to resign her position. In its general sense, resign means to yield or submit, as in When he knew he couldn’t possibly win the match, he decided to resign. Example: They say he resigned on his own, but I think he was forced out.