Domain names pass through a defined lifecycle. Many potential domain names have never been registered, so are available should you wish to register them.

When you register a domain you can choose how long you wish to register it for in multiples of years. The stages a domain passes through are shown in the diagram above.

Stage1 - Registered
This is the state a domain is in when you have registered it in your name. As the expiration date approaches you can reregister it or if you choose not to, then it will move through stages before it is available for others to register

Stage2 - Just On Hold
The domain has expired (passed it's expiration date). Your web site tied to this domain will continue to work for a short period of time, but the registrar can send the hold or delete command at any time.

Stage3 - On Hold
The nameservers of your web hosting company associated with the domain are no longer tied to the domain. This means the website will now not be found and any email accounts associated with the domain will stop working.

Stage4 - Expire Soon
The registrar will send the delete command to the registry and the registry will delete the domain

Stage5 - Available
The domain is now available again to be registered by anybody who wants to.