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
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
While the February deadline may not be a firm one, the government will need a deal in hand well before expiration day so the Arizona Legislature and possibly Congress have time to ratify the details.
—
Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 3 Feb. 2026
San Jose got back on the board just after the expiration of a power play that carried across the first two periods, as William Eklund drove the net and poked a puck loose in the crease that found Adam Gaudette’s stick on the right side of the net for a quick tap.
—Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026
Healthcare premiums rose for about 22 million people following the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies at the end of 2025.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
Rose and his staff have a history of trading players like Robinson, whose contracts are nearing expiration, and an extension hasn’t been reached.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expiration
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Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 3 Feb. 2026
San Jose got back on the board just after the expiration of a power play that carried across the first two periods, as William Eklund drove the net and poked a puck loose in the crease that found Adam Gaudette’s stick on the right side of the net for a quick tap.
—Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026
Healthcare premiums rose for about 22 million people following the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies at the end of 2025.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
Rose and his staff have a history of trading players like Robinson, whose contracts are nearing expiration, and an extension hasn’t been reached.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expiration
Cite this Entry
“Expiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expiration. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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