cancellation

Everyday

1. The act of calling off something that was planned, such as a match, flight or appointment. tree →
2. A place or booking that becomes free because someone else cancelled it. tree →
3. (maths) Removing the same number or factor from the top and bottom of a fraction, or terms that make zero, to simplify. tree →

In the lessons

Used in everyday life (cancellation of a train or match because of weather), in money (cancellation fees) and in maths (cancellation in fractions). Phrases: last-minute cancellation, cancellation fee, wait for a cancellation.

Examples

• The cancellation of the school trip was a big disappointment. tree →
• Snow caused the cancellation of all flights. tree →
• We got a dentist appointment because of a cancellation. tree →
• There is a cancellation fee if you change your booking. tree →
• In maths, cancellation makes 6/8 into 3/4. tree →
• The cancellation was announced on the radio. tree →
• The concert's cancellation upset the fans. tree →

Note

Spelled with double l in both UK and US: cancellation. But the verb past form differs: UK cancelled, US canceled. In maths, cancelling means dividing top and bottom by the same number; the value of the fraction stays the same.