废止 (fèi zhǐ) is a formal verb meaning 'to repeal' or 'to rescind', especially used for laws, regulations, rules, or official policies that are officially canceled or abolished. The character 废 (fèi) means 'to discard', 'to abandon', or 'to render invalid', while 止 (zhǐ) means 'to stop' or 'to cease'. Together, they convey the idea of definitively ending something’s legal or official effect — not merely suspending it, but nullifying it entirely.

This term appears frequently in government announcements, legal documents, and news reports about policy changes. It carries strong bureaucratic and authoritative connotations and is rarely used in casual speech or for personal matters. Unlike synonyms like 取消 (qǔxiāo), which can mean 'to cancel' in everyday contexts (e.g., a meeting), 废止 is reserved for institutional, statutory, or systemic cancellation — such as abolishing outdated health regulations or outdated examination requirements.