expiration

noun

ex·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈrā-shən 

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

Synonyms

• death
• demise
• expiry
• 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

Federal prosecutors have until July, six months after the deferred prosecution agreement’s expiration, to determine if Boeing breached additional terms of the agreement, according to the letter. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 15 May 2024

One way drug companies deal with looming patent expirations is to combine drugs and then patent those new formulations. —Bruce Gil, Quartz, 13 May 2024

As approved by the Senate, this $63 billion budget, which is more than $1 billion less than this year’s due to the expiration of federal COVID-19 pandemic aid, implements strategic budgeting measures without resorting to tax increases. —J.b. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2024

The winner of November’s presidential election will face an epic challenge next year with the coming expiration of nearly $4 trillion in tax cuts — an issue that the Biden White House is highlighting in the runup to November. —Josh Boak, Fortune, 10 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing expiration

• expiration date

Kids Definition

expiration

noun

ex·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈrā-shən 

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 

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