expiration

noun

ex·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce expiration (audio)
1
a
: the last emission of breath : death
b(1)
: the act or process of releasing air from the lungs through the nose or mouth : exhalation
(2)
: the escape of carbon dioxide from the body protoplasm (as through the blood and lungs or by diffusion)
2
: the fact of coming to an end or the point at which something ends : termination

Examples of expiration in a Sentence

one month after the expiration of the contract directed that upon her expiration her splendid Italian-style villa be given to the public as a museum
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The expiration of those subsidies at the end of the year will result in monthly cost increases for millions. Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025 That would put the expiration sometime in the middle of 2026, which, as of this writing, is well past when Cena's final match is. Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025 According to Bernstein, the decision to close Fido was driven by a looming lease expiration, personal life circumstances and the rapid evolution of the city. Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Oct. 2025 Forestalling the expiration of this expansion, which was due to come later this year regardless, would cost $350 billion over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for expiration

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of expiration was in 1526

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expiration. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

expiration

noun
ex·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce expiration (audio)
1
a
: the expelling of air from the lungs in breathing
b
: air or vapor expelled from the lungs
2
: the fact of coming to an end

Medical Definition

expiration

noun
ex·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce expiration (audio)
1
a(1)
: the act or process of releasing air from the lungs through the nose or mouth : exhalation
(2)
: the escape of carbon dioxide from the body protoplasm (as through the blood and lungs or by diffusion)
b
archaic : the last emission of breath : death
2
: something produced by breathing out

More from Merriam-Webster on expiration

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