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 The announcement detailed that lease expiration closures would occur over the next several years. David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2024 The lease has an initial term of one year, from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024, and can be terminated by either party's giving 60 days notice prior to the expiration of the lease. Tom Sissom, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2024 The next week is options expiration (OPEX) week which has been bearish in the month of February. Bill Sarubbi, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 The panel blowout occurred just days before the expiration of the agreement’s three-year term. Danny Lee, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 Those insights will be crucial in the coming months as schools brace for the expiration of $122 billion federal relief used to reopen buildings, address mental health needs and help students who had fallen behind academically. Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 This offer only has a 6x rollover but still has the $100 deposit minimum and month-long expiration period. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 The contract expiration won’t affect all of Dignity’s patients in California, Arizona and Nevada right away — and some not at all: ▪ HMO patients with providers in the Mercy Medical Group or the Woodland Clinic, for instance, can continue to pay in-network rates for their care until June 30. Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2024 Taxpayers were served up a double whammy last year when millions of households who were struggling with still-high inflation received smaller tax refunds due to the expiration of pandemic benefits. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expiration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of expiration was in 1526

Dictionary Entries Near expiration

Cite this Entry

“Expiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expiration. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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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