expiration

noun

ex·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈrā-shən 

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

Synonyms

• death
• demise
• expiry
• 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

Multiple factors are to blame, including the expiration of federal pandemic aid, inflation and declining enrollment. —Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 21 Apr. 2024

That was a key issue in last year’s Hollywood writers and actors strikes — and is yet another facet of remix culture that, alongside copyright expirations, could change the faces of some of history’s most renowned characters in ways no one has ever considered. —Andrew Dalton, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2024

Grande’s music is not alone in sticking around on the app far past the expiration of UMG’s last license, which lapsed at the end of January. —Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2024

Thursday’s approval comes amid the looming expiration of a series of crucial taxes that fund the state’s Medicaid program, which provides health coverage to roughly 1 million residents. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024

The nurse’s association is asking the county for a 15% wage increase through October 2025 — 5% annually retroactive to the expiration of the last contract in October. —Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024

The expiration of the previous deal descended into acrimony when the two sides alleged bad-faith negotiations for a renewal of the terms. —Sabrina Mao, Fortune Asia, 10 Apr. 2024

But amid a tough budget, strained by factors including flat revenue and the expiration of one-time pandemic aid, some city agencies are bracing for cuts. —Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024

In addition to housing costs and income inequality, the county attributed the homelessness surge to the expiration of pandemic-era eviction moratoriums and rental-assistance programs that helped pay for housing. —Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing expiration

• expiration date

Kids Definition

expiration

noun

ex·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈrā-shən 

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 

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