variants or less commonly cancelation
Synonyms of cancellation
1
: the act or an instance of canceling
The cancellation of the game was due to bad weather.
2
: something (such as a hotel room or a ticket) made available by the canceling of an arrangement
was lucky to get a cancellation for the trip to Chicago
often used before another noun
got a cancellation ticket/slot
3
: a mark made to cancel something (such as a postage stamp)

Examples of cancellation in a Sentence

The storm caused delays and flight cancellations. Notice of cancellation should be given 30 days in advance. There is a fee for cancellation. Cancellations increased when rates doubled.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The news comes after Stern struck a new three year-contract with SiriusXM amid rumors of a retirement, or a show cancellation, which Stern pranked his listeners about by suggesting that Andy Cohen would take over his channel. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 For any booking, that means understanding what is included in the base price, what insurance coverage the supplier requires, and what the cancellation policy involves. Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Any transgression of new standards of speech and behavior could put someone at risk of social banishment, in the truly despotic shape of cancellation. Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 Since Good Good pulled out, there was no prize to be given, hence the season cancellation. Denise Petski, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cancellation

Word History

Etymology

see cancel entry 1

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cancellation was in 1535

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cancellation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cancellation. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

cancellation

noun
1
: an act of canceling
2
: a mark made to cancel something

Legal Definition

cancellation

noun
can·​cel·​la·​tion
variants also cancelation
1
: the act or an instance of cancelling
2
: a mark made to cancel something (as a check)
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