cancellation
noun
can·cel·la·tion
ˌkan(t)-sə-ˈlā-shən 
variants
or less commonly cancelation
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 noungot 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
Were there various reasons for cancellation or has Hawaii become too expensive?
—
Rich Heldenfels, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
There was a noticeable 20-30% uptick in cancellations for Middle East routes from the travel agency’s Asian clients, with many quoting $450 non-refundable fare change fees on international trips being a top cancellation trigger.
—Sydney Goh, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
Lori listens in dumbfounded silence, keeping her eyes on the prize, and trying not to roll them when Julian makes a comment about the dearth of great women artists—the kind of remark that earned him a close brush with cancellation in the past.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Others experience frustration with cancellations.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cancellation
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Rich Heldenfels, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
There was a noticeable 20-30% uptick in cancellations for Middle East routes from the travel agency’s Asian clients, with many quoting $450 non-refundable fare change fees on international trips being a top cancellation trigger.
—Sydney Goh, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
Lori listens in dumbfounded silence, keeping her eyes on the prize, and trying not to roll them when Julian makes a comment about the dearth of great women artists—the kind of remark that earned him a close brush with cancellation in the past.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Others experience frustration with cancellations.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cancellation
Cite this Entry
“Cancellation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cancellation. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cancellation
noun
can·cel·la·tion
ˌkan(t)-sə-ˈlā-shən
1
: an act of canceling
2
: a mark made to cancel something
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