expiration

noun

ex·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce expiration (audio)
1
a
: the last emission of breath : death
b(1)
: the act or process of releasing air from the lungs through the nose or mouth : exhalation
(2)
: the escape of carbon dioxide from the body protoplasm (as through the blood and lungs or by diffusion)
2
: the fact of coming to an end or the point at which something ends : termination

Examples of expiration in a Sentence

one month after the expiration of the contract directed that upon her expiration her splendid Italian-style villa be given to the public as a museum
Recent Examples on the Web In May, ahead of the expiration of the Covid-era Title 42 restriction, US Customs and Border Protection encountered more than 8,000 people daily and had around 25,000 migrants in custody, raising alarm within the Biden administration. Priscilla Alvarez, CNN, 21 Sep. 2023 The expiration of pandemic programs, including refundable tax credits and stimulus payments, at the start of 2022, led to an increase in the SPM over the official poverty rate, the census reported. Teddy Grant, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2023 The union is negotiating with Stellantis, Ford Motor Co. and GM ahead of the expiration of contracts next week. Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 8 Sep. 2023 The expiration of federal funding comes at a precarious time for the U.S. economy, which is already slowing after a period of brisk post-pandemic growth. Abha Bhattarai, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Sep. 2023 Finding child care is still impossible for many parents The expiration of federal funding comes at a precarious time for the U.S. economy, which is already slowing after a period of brisk post-pandemic growth. Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2023 The ruling's majority opinion said that the expiration of a term does not create a vacancy, meaning that holdovers in any position appointed by the governor can remain until a confirmation hearing is held by the state Senate. Molly Beck, Journal Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2023 Mark Stewart, the North American chief operating officer for Stellantis, told reporters Saturday the UAW rejected a proposal to resume operations at an assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois, noting its offer had been contingent on reaching agreement before the contract expiration. Reuters, NBC News, 18 Sep. 2023 Sometimes one or both sides will walk away before the final minute before a contract expiration. Chris Isidore, CNN, 14 Sep. 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of expiration was in 1526

Dictionary Entries Near expiration

Cite this Entry

“Expiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expiration. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

expiration

noun
ex·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce expiration (audio)
1
a
: the expelling of air from the lungs in breathing
b
: air or vapor expelled from the lungs
2
: the fact of coming to an end

Medical Definition

expiration

noun
ex·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce expiration (audio)
1
a(1)
: the act or process of releasing air from the lungs through the nose or mouth : exhalation
(2)
: the escape of carbon dioxide from the body protoplasm (as through the blood and lungs or by diffusion)
b
archaic : the last emission of breath : death
2
: something produced by breathing out

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