1. the act or process of canceling something before it is due or before a scheduled time
Usage: often used in business, travel, and subscription contexts
2. a postage stamp or mark applied to mail before it is officially mailed, typically for collection or philatelic purposes
Usage: philately; specialized collecting term

Examples

• The airline charged a fee for precancellation of the flight reservation.
• Many subscription services offer discounts if you commit to no precancellation for a year.
• Philatelists often seek precancellation stamps from rare printing runs.
• The hotel's precancellation policy allowed guests to cancel up to 48 hours before arrival.
• Precancellation of the insurance policy resulted in a partial refund of the premium.