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

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
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.
That rediscovery of a deeper humanity, which comes from collective solidarity [and] collective action, awaits anyone who will look honestly at our situation. Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 7 Dec. 2024 There, three Rado watches that embody the holiday essence of gratitude, celebration and love await: Captain Cook, True Square Open Heart and Centrix Open Heart Super Jubilé. Fairchild Studio, WWD, 7 Dec. 2024 Maxwell also awaited trial at the detention center in Brooklyn before being transferred to serve her 20-year prison sentence in the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee, Florida. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024 And on third base: A massive number of new clean energy projects await approval for permits and connection to the electric grid. Ray Long, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for await 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of await was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near await

Cite this Entry

“Await.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/await. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

await

verb
1
: to wait for : expect
await a train
2
: to be ready or waiting for
a reward awaits you

More from Merriam-Webster on await

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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