expiration

American  

[ek-spuh-rey-shuhn] / ˌɛk spəˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a coming to an end; termination; close.

   the expiration of a contract.

2. the act of expiring, or breathing out; emission of air from the lungs.

3. Archaic. death.

---

expiration British  

/ ˌɛkspɪˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the finish of something; ending; expiry

2. the act, process, or sound of breathing out

3. rare a last breath; death

---

expiration Scientific  

/ ĕk′spə-rā′shən /

1. See exhalation

---

Other Word Forms

• nonexpiration noun
• preexpiration noun

Etymology

Origin of expiration

1375–1425; late Middle English expiracioun < Latin expīrātiōn- (stem of expīrātiō ), equivalent to expīrāt ( us ) (past participle of ex ( s ) pīrāre to expire ) + -iōn- -ion

Compare meaning

How does expiration compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• expiry vs. expiration

Example Sentences

But expiration of the waiting period without issue signals smooth sailing ahead.

From Barron's

We chose a relatively short expiration to give investors the choice of adjusting the strategy each month to reflect market conditions.

From Barron's

We chose a relatively short expiration to give investors the choice of adjusting the strategy each month to reflect market conditions.

From Barron's

Electric vehicle sales in the quarter totaled 14,513 vehicles, down 52% from a year earlier, pressured by the September expiration of the $7,500 federal purchase tax credit.

From Barron's

Car companies saw a surge in EV sales in the lead-up to the credit’s expiration, but a precipitous decline in the months following.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• expiry
• termination