expulsion

noun

ex·​pul·​sion ik-ˈspəl-shən How to pronounce expulsion (audio)
: the act of expelling : the state of being expelled
expulsive adjective

Examples of expulsion in a Sentence

The government engaged in mass expulsions. the expulsion of air from the lungs
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.
The six-hour meeting in Istanbul last Thursday, where the delegations worked to try to restore the normal functioning of their embassies after years of tit-for-tat expulsions, was the latest sign of a thaw between the two countries. Reuters, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2025 On social media, Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a coalition of student groups, demanded the immediate reversal of three Barnard students’ expulsions. Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025 The expulsion decision ultimately lies with the Dublin Unified school board. Kyle Martin, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025 What could eventually tip the balance is the potential expulsion of Gazans into Egypt, which Fahmy said would constitute a threat to Egypt’s national security. Sarah El Sirgany, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for expulsion

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French expulsioun, from Latin expulsion-, expulsio, from expellere to expel

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of expulsion was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expulsion. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

expulsion

noun
ex·​pul·​sion ik-ˈspəl-shən How to pronounce expulsion (audio)
: the act of expelling : the state of being expelled

More from Merriam-Webster on expulsion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!