rejection

noun

re·​jec·​tion ri-ˈjek-shən How to pronounce rejection (audio)
1
a
: the action of rejecting : the state of being rejected
b
: an immune response in which foreign tissue (as of a skin graft or transplanted organ) is attacked by immune system components of the recipient organism
2
: something rejected

Examples of rejection in a Sentence

made a flat rejection of the charges against him the judge's swift rejection of the lawyer's request for a recess
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.
Their firm rejection of federal government conditions also emphasizes autonomy's critical role in organizational health. Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 The 6-foot-11 big man is logging averages of 19.2 points, 10.4 boards, 4.9 dimes, 1.1 swipes and 0.8 rejections across his 75 available contests. David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025 Maine parent outraged after being silenced for defending girls' sports Fox News contributor Joe Concha discusses a heated school board meeting in Maine over the fight to protect girls' sports and Kamala Harris' reported rejection from campaigning for a Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2025 But when he was brought to the screen in 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Galactus was rendered as a faceless space cloud — a rejection of the comics' colorful origins. EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rejection

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rejection was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rejection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rejection. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

rejection

noun
re·​jec·​tion ri-ˈjek-shən How to pronounce rejection (audio)
1
: the action of rejecting : the state of being rejected
2
: something rejected
3
: the process by which the immune system causes foreign tissue (as of a skin graft or transplanted organ) to separate from and stop functioning with the tissues of the animal or human being that has received it

Medical Definition

rejection

noun
re·​jec·​tion ri-ˈjek-shən How to pronounce rejection (audio)
1
: the action of rejecting or the state of being rejected
feelings of rejection
rejection of the atypical child by the … groupG. S. Speer
2
: an immune response in which foreign tissue (as of a skin graft or transplanted organ) is attacked by immune system components (as antibodies, T cells, and macrophages) of the recipient organism

Legal Definition

rejection

noun
re·​jec·​tion ri-ˈjek-shən How to pronounce rejection (audio)
: the act or an instance of rejecting: as
a
: a refusal to accept an offer
b
: a refusal to accept nonconforming goods as performance of a contract

Note: Rejection and revocation are two remedies available to the buyer under the Uniform Commercial Code after the delivery of defective goods. Goods may be rejected if they do not conform to the contract. The rejection must be made within a reasonable period after delivery, before the goods have been accepted, and notice of the rejection must be given to the seller. Acceptance of the goods can be revoked if a defect substantially impairing their value to the buyer is discovered after acceptance, but such revocation must be made within a reasonable period after the buyer has discovered, or should have discovered, the defect.

More from Merriam-Webster on rejection

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