expectation

American  

[ek-spek-tey-shuhn] / ˌɛk spɛkˈteɪ ʃən /

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.

8. the state of being expected.

   a large sum of money in expectation.

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expectation British  

/ ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən, ɪkˈspɛktətɪv /

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

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Other Word Forms

• expectational adjective
• expectationist noun
• expectative adjective
• overexpectation noun
• preexpectation noun
• superexpectation noun

Etymology

Origin of expectation

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; see expect

Explanation

An expectation is a belief about what might happen in the future, like your expectation to stay close with your best friends your whole life. The word expectation comes from the Latin word expectationem, meaning "an awaiting." If you have great expectations, you think something good will come your way, but if keep your expectations low, you won't risk being disappointed. Expectation can also describe something that is supposed to happen, like a teacher whose expectation is that everyone comes to class prepared.

Example Sentences

The expectation was No 10's next appointment with Mandelson related anguish would be the next deluge of documents Parliament has demanded and which are expected to be published soon.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

The expectation is that all customers will continue to log return visits at regular intervals.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Jefferies had already updated estimates to reflect this scenario, and the investment bank’s analysts say Westpac’s new portfolio overlay for energy intensive sectors supports this expectation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

A substantial majority of American business leaders are planning for U.S. tariffs to stay elevated for years — and that’s a reasonable expectation, according to trade specialists at PwC.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Uncle Turu rose, rubbing his big hands together briskly in expectation.

From "The Ugly One" by Leanne Statland Ellis

Related Words

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