Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

expiry

American  
[ik-spahyuhr-ee, ek-spuh-ree] / ɪkˈspaɪər i, ˈɛk spə ri /

noun

plural

expiries

  1. expiration of breath.

  2. an end or termination, as of life or a contract.

expiry British  
/ ɪkˈspaɪərɪ /

noun

    1. a coming to an end, esp of a contract period; termination

      expiry of a lease

    2. ( as modifier )

      the expiry date

  2. death

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nonexpiry noun

Etymology

Origin of expiry

First recorded in 1745–55; expire + -y 3

Compare meaning

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Put spreads involve the simultaneous purchase and sale of put options with the same expiry but different strike prices.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

But he also noted that investors should expect to endure heightened market volatility, especially with “triple witching” options expiry on Friday looming, “until the energy situation stabilizes.”

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

But could the Fed put reach expiry under Warsh?

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

The treaty's expiry effectively marks an end to the arms control co-operation between Washington and Moscow that helped bring an end to the Cold War.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

These were rough around the edges from our camp can opener and stamped with expiry dates and some with company names: Campbell’s, Heinz.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.