: that is to be : future
—usually used postpositively and often in combination
a bride-to-be
Examples of to-be in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The real story is about Devon (Sadie Sandler), a soon-to-be freshman who is going through the universal experience of hoping that everything clicks for her in college after failing to find the right friends in middle school and high school.
—
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026
Despite the potential complications, the mom-to-be — who also welcomed a healthy baby girl about two years prior — stood steadfast and refused to do that.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
While perennial powerhouses like Germany and France have higher expectations than happy-to-be-here Scotland and Austria, in the end this tournament is a giant, collective celebration of football.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2026
In addition, Saddleback Medical Center is the only hospital in Orange County offering a maternity concierge to every patient, guiding parents-to-be in choosing the right provider and preparing them for their pregnancy journey.
—Memorialcare Saddleback Medical Center, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for to-be
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.
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026
Despite the potential complications, the mom-to-be — who also welcomed a healthy baby girl about two years prior — stood steadfast and refused to do that.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
While perennial powerhouses like Germany and France have higher expectations than happy-to-be-here Scotland and Austria, in the end this tournament is a giant, collective celebration of football.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2026
In addition, Saddleback Medical Center is the only hospital in Orange County offering a maternity concierge to every patient, guiding parents-to-be in choosing the right provider and preparing them for their pregnancy journey.
—Memorialcare Saddleback Medical Center, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for to-be
Cite this Entry
“To-be.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/to-be. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
