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.
Fans report last-minute cancellations and lost travel costs as officials examine whether resale listings were sold without valid tickets. Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 6 July 2026 Rules and regulations regarding international flight cancellations are a little murky. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026 Anyone considering the platform may want to review the current subscription details, cancellation terms, and available features before upgrading. Matthew Kayser updated July 6, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026 In July of 2025, another round of layoffs led to the cancellation of a number of in-development gaming projects at Xbox such as Perfect Dark and Everwild. Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 6 July 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 7 Jul. 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)

More from Merriam-Webster on cancellation

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