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.
Valentin Prudon, vice-president of the Union of Hotel and Restaurant Trades and Industries (UMIH), said some establishments had experienced cancellations, while others had closed in anticipation of the demonstrations. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026 In recent days, the Houthis have repeatedly struck King Khalid International Airport in the capital, Riyadh, leading to a wave of flight cancellations. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 In the weeks after mortgage rates crossed 7% late last month, eXp Realty, one of the country’s largest real estate brokerages, saw a higher-than-usual deal cancellation rate, said Leo Pareja, the CEO of AGNT, the parent company of eXp Realty. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 Ozlo's Sleepbuds 2, for example, sells for $279 and skip active noise cancellation altogether. — New Atlas, 15 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!