Origin: Latin suffix -al
Withdrawal has 10 different meanings across 1 category:
a retraction of a previously held position
"The government announced its withdrawal from the trade agreement after months of negotiations failed to produce results."
the act of taking out money or other capital
"The bank charged a fee for every withdrawal made before noon."
avoiding emotional involvement
"After his breakup, he chose withdrawal as a way to avoid getting emotionally involved again until he was ready."
the act of withdrawing blood, tumors, etc.
"the nurse was expert at the withdrawal of blood"
the act of ceasing to participate in an activity
"After realizing he was addicted to gaming, his withdrawal from online communities left him feeling isolated."
a method of birth control in which coitus is initiated but the penis is deliberately withdrawn before ejaculation
"He practiced withdrawal as his primary method of birth control to avoid pregnancy."
formal separation from an alliance or federation
"The United States announced its withdrawal from NATO, marking a significant shift in global security alliances."
the termination of drug taking
"He went to the clinic to manage the withdrawal after stopping his daily use of opioids."
Receiving from someone's care what one has earlier entrusted to them. Usually refers to money.
"After depositing his savings at the bank, he waited a few days before making his withdrawal."
In plain English: Withdrawal is when you stop using something and feel sick because your body has gotten used to it.
"The doctor advised him to take time off for withdrawal symptoms caused by quitting nicotine."
Usage: Withdrawal most commonly refers to the act of taking money out of an account or removing oneself from a group, substance, or situation. Use this term for financial transactions involving cash removal rather than general receipt of services provided by others.
The word withdrawal comes from the verb withdraw combined with the suffix -al. It originally meant the act of taking back or moving away.