expedition

[ek-spi-dish-uhn]

noun

1. an excursion, journey, or voyage made for some specific purpose, as of war or exploration.

2. the group of persons, ships, etc., engaged in such an activity.

   a large expedition of scientists and military personnel.

3. promptness or speed in accomplishing something.

   He worked with great expedition.

   Synonyms: alacrity, dispatch, quickness

expedition

/ ˌɛkspɪˈdɪʃən /

noun

1. an organized journey or voyage for a specific purpose, esp for exploration or for a scientific or military purpose

2. the people and equipment comprising an expedition

3. a pleasure trip; excursion

4. promptness in acting; dispatch

Other Word Forms

• preexpedition noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of expedition¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin expedītiōn- (stem of expedītiō ) “a (military) traveling.” See expedite, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of expedition¹

C15: from Latin expedītiō, from expedīre to prepare, _expedite

Idioms and Phrases

see fishing expedition.

Synonym Study

See trip ¹.

Related Words

• caravan 
• crew 
• cruise 
• crusade 
• excursion 
• exploration 
• jaunt 
• outing 
• patrol 
• quest 
• safari 
• squadron 
• tour 
• travel 
• trek 
• trip 
• undertaking 

When To Use

What is an expedition?

An expedition is an organized journey or voyage made with a specific purpose, as in Johann packed only a large backpack for the expedition across the Alps. An expedition can describe any trip made with a specific purpose or for the purpose of simple exploration. The term is used formally by militaries, cartographers, groups that aim to protect wildlife, and many others. For example, a military expedition is a specific type of military operation in which a group of soldiers move into a foreign country to accomplish a task. Expedition can also be used to refer to a pleasure trip, especially for a trip to a location that is farther than a person would normally go. Expedition can also refer to the group of people who go on the trip. For example, a scientific expedition to the rainforest can mean the trip to the rainforest or those who go on the trip. Example: We took an expedition around the world to see all the sights.