1 [no object] voluntarily leave a job or office:he resigned from the government in protest at the policy
[with object] give up (an office, privilege, etc.):four deputies resigned their seats
Chess end a game by conceding defeat without being checkmated:he lost his Queen and resigned in 45 moves
2 (resign oneself to) accept that something undesirable cannot be avoided:she resigned herself to a lengthy sessionhe seems resigned to a shortened career
archaic surrender oneself to another’s guidance:he vows to resign himself to her direction