await

verb

ə-ˈwāt 

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

Synonyms

• anticipate
• expect
• hope (for)
• watch (for)

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

The officer, who did not want to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the facility was full, with about thirty dead zama zamas awaiting forensic investigation. —Kate Bartlett, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025

When the Charlotte Hornets left town on Jan. 8, flying across country to start things off with a pair of outings in Los Angeles, a unique itinerary awaited LaMelo Ball. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Jan. 2025

In another section, dozens of people sat with aides and administrators of their retirement centers, awaiting word on their next move. —Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025

The Decision More than a year passed while Mr. Askew awaited the judge’s decision. —Joshua Sharpe, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025

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

Kids Definition

await

verb

ə-ˈwāt 

1

: to wait for : expect

await a train

2

: to be ready or waiting for

a reward awaits you