arrival

noun

ar·​riv·​al ə-ˈrī-vəl How to pronounce arrival (audio)
Synonyms of arrivalnext
1
: the act of arriving
2
: the attainment of an end or state
3
: one that has recently arrived
new arrivals

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
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.
These Milanese arrivals edged Hermès, where Véronique Nichanian presented her final collection after 37 years, down to 7th in the list. Luke Leitch, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026 On her way to work, and wearing a pink jacket that would become instantly recognizable from other videos of the incident, Carlson heard the sound of whistles that have become the ubiquitous warning of the arrival of immigration officers. Michael Williams, CNN Money, 28 Jan. 2026 Evidence suggests that soon after its original discovery, Rapa Nui remained isolated until the arrival of Europeans. Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026 Weiss has been under a microscope since her arrival in October, after Paramount bought her conservative-opinion site The Free Press for $150 million. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arrival

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of arrival was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Arrival.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arrival. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

arrival

noun
ar·​riv·​al ə-ˈrī-vəl How to pronounce arrival (audio)
1
: the act of arriving
await the arrival of guests
2
: a person or thing that has arrived
late arrivals at a concert

More from Merriam-Webster on arrival

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