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.
Before buying or booking anything, make sure to keep final approval, set spending limits and check a merchant’s cancellation and return policies. — Marty Swant, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026 Careful verification helps prevent avoidable errors, but human mistakes and cancellations remain possible. — Anthony Mastro, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 The cancellation was done through a maneuver known as a pocket rescission. — Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 These buds don’t have active noise cancellation, but such is the sacrifice to keep them on the more affordable side! — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 26 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 27 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!

More from Merriam-Webster