Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Insubordination /ĭnˌ-səb-ôrˌ-dən-āsh'-ən/ · In·sub·or·di·na·tion · IPA /ˌɪnsəbˌɔrdənˈeɪʃən/ 01 n. The quality of being insubordinate; disobedience to lawful authority. 1. The quality of being insubordinate; disobedience to lawful authority.