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

Examples of await in a Sentence

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
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.
Google’s phone is racing ahead with Android 16 and new security and privacy features, while Samsung awaits its own rollout. Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 As school districts brace for budget shortfalls, communities await a decision that could reshape access to education and enrichment nationwide. Amanda Castro hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025 Since the mistrial, Melly’s legal team filed a motion requesting bond for the rapper’s release while awaiting retrial. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 15 July 2025 Beefy satisfaction awaits in our guide to cooking burgers indoors. Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for await

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

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Cite this Entry

“Await.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/await. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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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