arrival

noun

ar·​riv·​al ə-ˈrī-vəl How to pronounce arrival (audio)
Synonyms of arrivalnext
1
: the act of arriving
2
: the attainment of an end or state
3
: one that has recently arrived
new arrivals

Examples of arrival in a Sentence

They were awaiting the arrival of guests. When is the mail scheduled for arrival? They track the number of airport arrivals and departures. They were late arrivals at the party. They are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their wedding day. the changes that occur with the arrival of spring the arrival of new technology
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.
Upon arrival, Officer Jared Wilson saw an unresponsive Black male, later identified as Harris, lying in the front doorway of the residence. Steven Mross, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026 Anything left to mention A 4x4 transfer along a road (and beach, depending on the tide) is the usual way to get there, but the fantasy arrival would be to wade ashore after sailing along the coast on a traditional dhow. Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026 Their arrival in the nation’s capital marked the final major stop of the walk. Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026 Martens’ first ready-to-wear collection will start reaching stores later this month and early March, with activations planned around its arrival in stores. Miles Socha, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arrival

Word History

Etymology

Middle English arivaile, arrival "act of arriving, landing, disembarkation," borrowed from Anglo-French arrivayle, arivail, from ariver, arriver "to arrive entry 1" + -ayle, -ail, in part going back to Latin -ālis -al entry 2, in part a collective suffix going back to Latin -ālia, from neuter plural of -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of arrival was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Arrival.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arrival. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

arrival

noun
ar·​riv·​al ə-ˈrī-vəl How to pronounce arrival (audio)
1
: the act of arriving
await the arrival of guests
2
: a person or thing that has arrived
late arrivals at a concert

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