# expiry

/ˌɛkˈspaɪɹi/ (US) · /ɛkspˈaɪəɹi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/expiry
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the date or time when something stops being valid or useful. You use this for things like food, passports, or software licenses.

For teachers: the point in time at which a document, product, or legal right becomes invalid or ceases to exist.

## Examples

- The expiry date on the milk is next week.
- The software license will reach its expiry date in six months unless the company renews it.
- While the physical passport remained valid, the digital chip had reached its expiry, rendering the document useless for international travel until the new version was issued.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.