expiration

[ ek-spuh-rey-shuhn ]

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

/ 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

/ ĕk′spə-rā′shən /

1. See exhalation

Other Words From

• nonex·pi·ration noun
• preex·pi·ration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of expiration¹

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

Example Sentences

In Prince William County, several national grocery chains, as well as local stores such as Todos Market in Dumfries, contribute perishable items that are near expiration.

From Washington Post

Its looming expiration has touched off a fierce new lobbying battle in Washington — and threatens to subject millions of cash-strapped Americans to the same struggles they had faced before.

From Washington Post

In others, these contracts may have automatically continued upon expiration if no replacement agreement was negotiated.

From ProPublica

Brown was another Brady-influenced addition to the roster, signed at Brady’s urging when Arians dropped his objection just before the expiration of Brown’s eight-game suspension by the NFL for violating its personal conduct policy.

From Washington Post

Those orders may not have directly preempted production, but their expiration would seem to be a symbolic gesture that could bolster confidence in the safety of shooting on set or in studio.

From Digiday

Such prescriptions have no expiration date, and were swallowed as easily in 1974 as in 1934 or 2014.

From The Daily Beast

But with the expiration of the law and the media focus on the House bill, awareness mounted and that uphill fight got easier.

From The Daily Beast

And thanks for all the music that came with no expiration date.

From The Daily Beast

Kerry himself recently identified an expiration date for the two-state solution within “a year to year-and-a-half to two years.”

From The Daily Beast

By the time they haul it out, the patent may be nearing expiration.

From The Daily Beast

They are all transported to the English colonies, where, at the expiration of ten years, they are supposed to be set at liberty.

From Project Gutenberg

At the expiration of four hours the storm had worn itself out, and was succeeded by a perfect calm.

From Project Gutenberg

A large number of the members of the Eleventh regiment reënlisted upon the expiration of their term of service.

From Project Gutenberg

At the expiration of that time, stamps must be affixed and the publications sent at third-class postal rates.

From Project Gutenberg

Expiration takes a very little longer than inspiration, and the rapidity of respiration depends on the needs of the body.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• expiry
• termination