expectation

[ ek-spek-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or the state of expecting:

   to wait in expectation.

2. the act or state of looking forward or anticipating.

   Synonyms: trust, hope, anticipation, expectancy

3. an expectant mental attitude:

   a high pitch of expectation.

4. something expected; a thing looked forward to.
5. Often expectations. a prospect of future good or profit:

   to have great expectations.

6. the degree of probability that something will occur:

   There is little expectation that he will come.

7. Mathematics, Statistics. mathematical expectation ( def ).
8. the state of being expected:

   a large sum of money in expectation.

expectation

/ ɪkˈspɛktətɪv; ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or state of expecting or the state of being expected
2. usually plural something looked forward to, whether feared or hoped for

   we have great expectations for his future

   their worst expectations

3. an attitude of expectancy or hope; anticipation

   to regard something with expectation

4. statistics
   1. the numerical probability that an event will occur
   2. another term for expected value

Derived Forms

• expectative, adjective

Other Words From

• expec·tation·al adjective
• expec·tation·ist noun
• over·expec·tation noun
• preex·pec·tation noun
• super·expec·tation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of expectation¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin ex(s)pectātiōn-, stem of ex(s)pectātiō “anticipation, suspense,” from ex(s)pectāt(us) (past participle of ex(s)pectāre “to look out for, await”) + -iō -ion; expect

Example Sentences

Still, the very presence of paramedics at sites where forced entry warrants are to be used could suggest the expectation that someone will be harmed.

From Vox

“This removal was about an IG who in my mind was increasingly falling short of expectations,” he added.

From Washington Post

She was a student who would drive up performance and expectations and build community.

From Voice of San Diego

One reason for that is unlike in 2000, “these companies actually have revenues and earnings, they’re not just trading on fumes or expectations,” CFRA Research’s Sam Stovall tells Fortune.

From Fortune

Few groups in stock market history have been accorded such great expectations.

From Fortune

The loss of this “expectation” game began his decline and ultimate withdrawal from the race.

From The Daily Beast

I had a couple bluntly tell me that they hated it here, with the silent expectation that I would too.

From The Daily Beast

Their expectation was that her petition to have her passport returned might be honored.

From The Daily Beast

Now, there are no cliffhangers, just an expectation from the audience that the blood will flow.

From The Daily Beast

Every day, I drove from my flat in Mayfair to Abbey Road in joyous expectation of what magic I would be participating in that day.

From The Daily Beast

Ollie saw someone standing before it, bending slightly forward in the pose of expectation.

From Project Gutenberg

He obeyed without remark, though with an unsteady voice, as he uttered communications he knew were so hostile to her expectation.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon such expectation, Allcraft stood—upon such props suffered his aching soul to rest.

From Project Gutenberg

I knew this was a city of noble and beautiful structures, but the reality surpasses my expectation.

From Project Gutenberg

This expectation of high dividends, I need hardly say, has not been realised, and the Act in this respect has been a dead letter.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assumption
• chance
• confidence
• fear
• forecast
• hope
• intention
• likelihood
• notion
• outlook
• possibility
• prediction
• promise
• prospect
• trust
• view