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expediency

[ik-spee-dee-uh n-see]
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noun, plural ex·pe·di·en·cies.
  1. the quality of being expedient; advantageousness; advisability.
  2. a regard for what is politic or advantageous rather than for what is right or just; a sense of self-interest.
  3. something expedient.
Also ex·pe·di·ence.

Origin of expediency

From the Late Latin word expedientia, dating back to 1605–15. See expedient, -ency
Related formsnon·ex·pe·di·ence, nounnon·ex·pe·di·en·cy, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for expediences

Historical Examples

  • Indeed, they are the results of various necessities and expediences.

    The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. III. (of 12)

    Edmund Burke

British Dictionary definitions for expediences

expediency

expedience

noun plural -encies or -ences
  1. appropriateness; suitability
  2. the use of or inclination towards methods that are advantageous rather than fair or just
  3. another word for expedient (def. 3)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012