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
see also:
dead on arrival

Synonyms of arrival

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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.
Its arrival begins the process of turning a military transport into a specialized communications platform designed for one of America’s most critical defense missions. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 Less than half a mile away, business owner Sierra Jordan told CNN the familiar sound of children laughing and playing outside at recess gave way to the frantic arrival of ambulances. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 Prior to her arrival, the film is confined largely to the claustrophobic rented California beach bungalow where Fielder and the documentary team spend time with Holmes, her husband, and their children. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026 For reference, Scaramucci’s dizzying 2017 arrival and departure broke a 72-year-old record. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 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

Phrases Containing arrival

Rhymes for arrival

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Browse Nearby Words

arrisways
arrival
arrival draft
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Cite this Entry

“Arrival.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arrival. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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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