arrival

noun

ar·​riv·​al ə-ˈrī-vəl 

1

: the act of arriving

2

: the attainment of an end or state

3

: one that has recently arrived

new arrivals

Synonyms of arrival

• advent
• appearance
• coming

Examples of arrival in a Sentence

They were awaiting the arrival of guests.

When is the mail scheduled for arrival?

They track the number of airport arrivals and departures.

They were late arrivals at the party.

They are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their wedding day.

the changes that occur with the arrival of spring

the arrival of new technology

Recent Examples on the Web

For all the attacking flair that has defined San Diego FC since its arrival in Major League Soccer, the most revealing development of the club’s early 2026 season might be unfolding somewhere far less glamorous — the back line. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

Small tour operators within each port are rolling up their sleeves to accommodate the increasing number of international arrivals (in 2024 visitors to Greenland hit an all-time high of 150,000, nearly triple the nation's population) by creating new land excursions and in-town experiences. —Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026

Upon arrival, officers made contact with the man, and at some point, at least one officer shot the man. —Austin Turner, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026

Kyte Baby has new arrivals for infants, while Cakeworthy will be dropping new adult apparel and accessories soon, too. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English arivaile, arrival "act of arriving, landing, disembarkation," borrowed from Anglo-French arrivayle, arivail, from ariver, arriver "to arrive entry 1" + -ayle, -ail, in part going back to Latin -ālis -al entry 2, in part a collective suffix going back to Latin -ālia, from neuter plural of -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing arrival

• dead on arrival
• departure/arrival time

Rhymes for arrival

• archival
• revival
• survival
• conjunctival
• rival
• subconjunctival

Kids Definition

arrival

noun

ar·​riv·​al ə-ˈrī-vəl 

1

: the act of arriving

await the arrival of guests

2

: a person or thing that has arrived

late arrivals at a concert