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
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.
No one can be surprised that Republicans are hoping to exploit their Washington trifecta — the White House and majority control of the House and Senate — by implementing vast federal budget cuts in order to save their 2017 tax cuts from expiration. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025 The maximum potential reward is $657 if WDC is below $55 at expiration, with a maximum risk of $343 if WDC is above $65 at expiration. Tony Zhang, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025 The announcement came amid the third consecutive year Netflix has hosted the SAG Awards following the expiration of the group's partnership with TBS and TNT for rights to the annual telecast. EW.com, 8 Jan. 2025 As an incentive for the teams to stick around, the city assumed ownership of the land but agreed to give it back to the teams at the expiration of a ground lease in 2023, according to documents reviewed by The Post. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 5 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for expiration 

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 30 Jan. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on expiration

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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