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

see also:

dead on arrival

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

Is Liberia an American dumping ground — or a place where a new generation of arrivals can build a new life? — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

If the come-from-behind victory and the roar of more than 45,000 fans on Saturday afternoon were any indication, Anderson’s arrival could portend great things is Seattle for the rest of this season, and for many more to come. — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Upon arrival, law enforcement found an adult male suffering from multiple stab wounds. — Cbs News Miami Digital Team, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026

Other than Officer Camping’s first arrival, neither of them saw anything out of the ordinary at 5 Kron Street, the police report says. — Annalise Peterson, NBC news, 23 Aug. 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