awaited; awaiting; awaits

transitive verb

1
a
: to wait for
We are awaiting his arrival.
await a decision
b
: to remain in abeyance until
a treaty awaiting ratification
2
: to be in store for
He wonders what awaits him next.
3
obsolete : to lie in wait for

intransitive verb

1
: to stay or be in waiting : wait
The nation awaited as Congress debated the issue.
2
: to be in store
… marched … north to civilization where fame and fortune awaited.Tom Marvel
3
obsolete : attend

Example Sentences

A crowd of people awaited the train. We're eagerly awaiting his arrival. He was arrested and is now in prison awaiting trial. Her long-awaited new novel is finally being published. The same fate awaits us all.
Recent Examples on the Web With Luke at the top of the shaft, ready to pull them out, Boro reluctantly lifts Emma to her father's awaiting hands to be pulled to freedom. Keith Nelson, Men's Health, 28 May 2023 But ports await demand to justify such expensive upgrades. John Flesher, Anchorage Daily News, 28 May 2023 And while Sweden is still awaiting its accession to NATO, Finland has been allowed in. Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 27 May 2023 The best Boston College baseball season of its Atlantic Coast Conference tenure, if not longer, awaits an extension by the NCAA. Jon Couture, BostonGlobe.com, 26 May 2023 While fans await season 3 of The Witcher, Netflix already has its eyes on season 5. Andrew Webster, The Verge, 26 May 2023 In one of the most eagerly awaited events on the orchestra’s 2023 calendar, assistant conductor Na’Zir McFadden will lead four concerts of Franklin’s music Friday through Sunday. Brian Mccollum, Detroit Free Press, 26 May 2023 The Henderson Park Inn, Destin A secluded escape awaits at The Henderson Park Inn, which resembles a grand seaside manor on the unspoiled Emerald Coast. Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2023 Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis could be free agents this summer, so there are roster decisions awaiting Winger quickly, and Washington has three picks — No. 8, No. 42 and No. 57 — in next month’s NBA draft. Tim Reynolds, Baltimore Sun, 24 May 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French aweiter, aguaiter, from a- (from Latin ad-) + guaiter to watch — more at wait

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of await was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near await

Cite this Entry

“Await.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/await. Accessed 5 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

await

verb
1
: to wait for : expect
await a train
2
: to be ready or waiting for
a reward awaits you

More from Merriam-Webster on await

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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