to stay where you are or not do something until a later time or until something happens
Please wait in the lobby until your name is called.
We decided to wait until the rain stopped before leaving.
✦ From Old Northern French waitier, Old French gaitier "to watch"; related to Old High German wahten "to watch".
to stay in one place or remain ready because you expect something or someone to arrive or happen
The villagers gathered at dawn to await the festival parade.
Hundreds of fans stood outside the stadium to await the band's arrival.
✦ From Old French awaitier, from a- (toward) + waitier “to watch”.
to be ready for or will happen to someone or something in the future
Exciting challenges await the new mayor in her first year of office.
A rewarding career awaits you if you keep studying hard.
✦ Same origin as Sense 1: Old French awaitier.
