abdication

Everyday

1. Abdication is when a king, queen or other ruler gives up the throne of their own free will. tree →
2. (formal) Abdication of a duty or responsibility means failing to do what you should do, as if giving it up. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons, the famous abdication in Britain is that of King Edward VIII in 1936, who gave up the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee; his brother became George VI. Other monarchs have abdicated too, like Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (2013). In formal speech, «an abdication of responsibility» is a strong criticism. Phrases: «the abdication crisis», «abdication of responsibility».

Examples

• The abdication of Edward VIII shocked Britain in 1936. tree →
• After the king's abdication, his brother was crowned. tree →
• The queen announced her abdication on television. tree →
• Leaving the little ones alone was an abdication of responsibility. tree →
• The history book has a whole chapter on the abdication crisis. tree →
• Her abdication let her son become king. tree →
• After the voluntary abdication of Oedipus, his two sons, Eteocles and Polynices, took possession of the crown and reigned over the city of Thebes. tree →

Note

Countable. Verb: abdicate (abdicated, abdicating). Say «ab-di-KAY-shun». A ruler who is forced off the throne is «deposed» or «overthrown»; abdication means they give it up themselves (though sometimes under pressure).