arrivals

IPA/əˈraɪ.vəl/
KK[ɚˈaɪvəlz]IPA/əˈraɪ.vəl/

arrivals — noun

  • arrivalssingular
  • arrivalsesplural

1. the moment or act of reaching a place after a journey

1.nounB1
Definition

the moment or act of reaching a place after a journey

Example

The arrival of the night train was announced over the loudspeaker.

the arrival of — noun phrase pattern

Passengers should go to the arrivals hall to collect their luggage.

arrivals hall — compound noun for airport areas

Common collocations
  • arrival time
  • arrival hall
  • safe arrival
  • late arrival
  • the arrival of
Synonyms
  • coming

    more informal, often used for events or seasons ("the coming of spring")

  • approach

    emphasises movement nearer in time or space ("the approach of the storm")

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

the arrival of + noun

Usage Note

When referring to the general event of coming to a place, arrival is often uncountable ("shortly after arrival"). When counting separate instances ("three late arrivals"), it is countable.

Common Mistakes

I will call you upon my arrive.
I will call you upon my arrival.
'arrival' is a noun; 'arrive' is a verb.

2. a baby who has just been born, especially when referred to affectionately or pla

2.nounB2
Definition

a baby who has just been born, especially when referred to affectionately or playfully

Example

The proud grandparents came to meet the new arrival at the hospital.

new arrival — set phrase for newborn

Meilin's parents shared a photo of the latest arrival in their family.

Common collocations
  • new arrival
  • latest arrival
Synonyms
  • newborn

    more clinical or neutral; used in medical settings

  • baby

    the general term; lacks the playful connotation of new arrival

Grammar Patterns

new arrival (baby)

Usage Note

Almost always used with the modifier new ("the new arrival"). More common in informal conversation and personal announcements than in medical or clinical contexts.

3. a person who has just come to a place or joined an organisation, and is not yet

3.nounB1
Definition

a person who has just come to a place or joined an organisation, and is not yet familiar with it

Example

Omar introduced himself to the other new arrivals at the orientation session.

new arrivals — plural for people who just joined

The village school had to hire an extra teacher because of the recent arrivals.

Common collocations
  • new arrival
  • recent arrival
  • latest arrival
Synonyms
  • newcomer

    more common for joining a community or organisation; warmer tone

  • newbie

    very informal; often used in online or work contexts

Grammar Patterns

new arrival (person)

Usage Note

Frequently used in the plural (new arrivals) to refer to a group of people who have recently reached a place such as a city, school, or company. The singular (a new arrival) is also common.

Common Mistakes

The arrival people are waiting at the gate.
The new arrivals are waiting at the gate.
'arrival' alone does not mean 'person'; add 'new' or 'recent' to refer to a person.

4. the point at which a person or thing reaches a particular condition, stage, or g

4.nounB2
Definition

the point at which a person or thing reaches a particular condition, stage, or goal after effort or time

Example

The scientist described his arrival at a major discovery after years of research.

arrival at — pattern for reaching a milestone

Amara's arrival at the finals surprised even her own coach.

Common collocations
  • arrival at
  • the arrival of an era
  • arrival at a decision
  • arrival at a conclusion
Synonyms
  • achievement

    focuses on the effort required; more common in everyday use

  • attainment

    even more formal; implies a deliberate effort

  • dawn

    metaphorical, used for new eras ("the dawn of a new age")

Grammar Patterns

arrival at + goal/state

Usage Note

This sense is more abstract than sense 1. It describes reaching a state ("arrival at peace") or the beginning of a period ("the arrival of democracy") rather than physical movement to a location. Common in formal writing and journalism.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Arrival, coming, approach, and advent all refer to reaching a place or point in time, but they differ in tone and scope. Arrival is the most neutral and widely used — it works for people, transport, mail, and abstract goals ("the arrival of spring"). Coming is more informal and often used for events or seasons ("the coming of winter"). Approach emphasises the movement toward something just before it arrives ("the approach of the storm"), which adds a sense of anticipation. Advent is formal and slightly literary, reserved for significant historical periods or developments ("the advent of the internet"). For everyday travel and physical arrival, arrival is the best choice. Example: "We waited for the arrival of the bus in the rain" — here, coming also works but arrival sounds more natural in a travel context.

arrival ↗coming ↗approach ↗advent ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • arrival time
  • arrival gate
  • arrival hall
  • arrival lounge

Phrases

  • on arrival
  • upon arrival
  • shortly after arrival
  • safe arrival

Prepositions

  • arrival at
  • arrival in
  • arrival of
  • arrival on

Etymology

Old FrenchMiddle EnglishModern English

Arrival comes from the Old French word ariver, meaning 'to come to shore.' It entered English in the 1300s, originally used for ships reaching land. Over time, the meaning expanded to any type of reaching a place, and later to abstract senses like achieving a goal or reaching a stage in life.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1