expectancy

Also ex·pect·ance

[ik-spek-tuhn-see]

noun

plural

expectancies 

1. the quality or state of expecting; expectation; anticipatory belief or desire.

2. the state of being expected.

3. an object of expectation; something expected.

expectancy

/ ɪkˈspɛktənsɪ /

noun

1. something expected, esp on the basis of a norm or average

   his life expectancy was 30 years

2. anticipation; expectation

3. the prospect of a future interest or possession, esp in property

   an estate in expectancy

Word History and Origins

Origin of expectancy¹

From the Medieval Latin word ex(s)pectantia, dating back to 1590–1600. See expectant, -ancy

Example Sentences

“This RMD is calculated based on the longer of the remaining life expectancy or your spouse’s single-life expectancy,” according to Fidelity Investments.

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A century ago, life expectancy barely exceeded 50 in the U.S.

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“A doctor must certify that they have a life expectancy of six months or less.”

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A new international analysis led by a University of Wisconsin-Madison professor reveals that the remarkable gains in life expectancy seen across wealthy nations during the early 20th century have slowed dramatically.

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Testing has shown them to make significant advances in the mitigation and elimination of breast cancer, or materially extending life expectancy in the most difficult category of cancer, the triple or fully negative.

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