1.
to give up one's seat, to offer one's seat
To stand up and let someone else sit down, typically for elderly people, pregnant women, or others in need on public transportation.
お年寄りに席を譲った。
I gave up my seat to an elderly person.
電車で妊婦さんに席を譲るのは当然のことだ。
It's only natural to offer your seat to a pregnant woman on the train.
席を譲ろうとしたが、「大丈夫です」と断られた。
I tried to offer my seat, but they said 'I'm fine' and declined.
2.
to hand over one's position, to step aside
To relinquish a position or role to someone else, such as a leadership post or organizational role.
社長が後任に席を譲った。
The president handed over his position to a successor.
若い世代に席を譲るべきだという声が上がった。
Voices rose saying that the position should be handed over to the younger generation.
長年務めた委員長の席を譲り、引退することにした。
I decided to hand over the chairperson position I had held for many years and retire.
PATTERN: 〜に席を譲る
The person you give the seat/position to is marked by に.
SENSE 1 (LITERAL): A common social behavior in Japan, especially on trains and buses. Signs for 優先席 (priority seats) remind passengers to yield to those in need.
SENSE 2 (FIGURATIVE): Used in organizational and political contexts when someone steps aside from a leadership role to let another person take over.