1. To officially announce that a scheduled show, concert, play, or other entertainment event will not take place
The theater had to cancel the performance due to the lead actor's illness.
O teatro teve que cancelar o espetáculo devido à doença do ator principal.
2. To call off or abandon a planned artistic presentation
They decided to cancel the performance because of technical difficulties.
Decidiram cancelar a apresentação por causa de dificuldades técnicas.