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

The secretary of Homeland Security can cancel a country’s TPS designation but must decide whether to extend or terminate it at least 60 days before the expiration, based on conditions in the country. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024

Tapestry has to act fast since there is a February 2025 deadline for the expiration of the bonds intended for the transaction, reported TD Cowen’s Oliver Chen in a research update. —Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

It had been set at $3,000 per child before its expiration at the end of 2021. —Nik Popli, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024

Amid similar growth, the NWSL and its players opted to quietly renegotiate their CBA well in advance of its expiration—announcing an extension this summer while avoiding any public owner-athlete conflict. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 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