RELINQUISHMENT definition : 1. the act of giving up something such as a responsibility, claim, or possession: 2. the act of…. Learn more. Relinquish means to stop having something, especially when this happens unwillingly. See how to use this formal verb in sentences, synonyms, pronunciation and word origin. RELINQUISH meaning : 1. to give up something such as a responsibility or claim: 2. to unwillingly stop holding or…. Learn more. If you relinquish something, you let it go. You relinquish control of the army when you resign as general. You relinquish your plan to sneak into town when your parents find out what's going on.