expectation

[ ek-spek-tey-shuhn ]

/ ˌɛk spɛkˈteɪ ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR expectation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act or the state of expecting: to wait in expectation.

the act or state of looking forward or anticipating.

an expectant mental attitude: a high pitch of expectation.

something expected; a thing looked forward to.

Often expectations. a prospect of future good or profit: to have great expectations.

the degree of probability that something will occur: There is little expectation that he will come.

Statistics. mathematical expectation.

the state of being expected: a large sum of money in expectation.

Nearby words

Origin of expectation

1530–40; < Latin expectātiōn- (stem of expectātiō) an awaiting, equivalent to expectāt(us) (past participle of expectāre to expect) + -iōn- -ion

SYNONYMS FOR expectation

2. expectancy, anticipation; hope, trust.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR expectation ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

ex·pec·ta·tion·al, adjectiveex·pec·ta·tion·ist, nouno·ver·ex·pec·ta·tion, nounpre·ex·pec·ta·tion, noun

su·per·ex·pec·ta·tion, noun

Can be confusedexpectancy expectation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for expectation

The loss of this “expectation” game began his decline and ultimate withdrawal from the race.
The World’s Toughest Political Quiz|Jeff Greenfield|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Their expectation was that her petition to have her passport returned might be honored.
Let’s Free Stacey Addison, The Oregon Woman Jailed at the Ends of the Earth|Christopher Dickey|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now, there are no cliffhangers, just an expectation from the audience that the blood will flow.
Sex, Blood and Maroon 5: Pop Culture’s Wounds Run Deep|Lizzie Crocker|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That expectation depends on galaxies merging from smaller chunks, and depleting some of their available star-making fuel.
Some of the First Galaxies Were Big Babies|Matthew R. Francis|September 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

We've turned on the dime in terms of our expectation for them.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: Sept 14|PunditFact.com|September 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then, when expectation had reached its utmost point, there was a murmur.
Personal Reminiscences in Book Making|R.M. Ballantyne
She was restless, and full of expectation, starting at every sound and every step.
The Manxman|Hall Caine
She stroked them and squeezed them and kissed them, and they bore it patiently in the expectation of food.
The House by the River|A. P. Herbert
How shall the disciple verify his expectation of this final benefit?
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Philippians|Robert Rainy
They had no expectation of finding the ship unlocked, and wasted no time trying to get it.
The Martian Cabal|Roman Frederick Starzl

British Dictionary definitions for expectation

expectation

/ (ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən) /

noun

the act or state of expecting or the state of being expected

(usually plural) something looked forward to, whether feared or hoped forwe have great expectations for his future; their worst expectations

an attitude of expectancy or hope; anticipationto regard something with expectation

statistics

the numerical probability that an event will occur
another term for expected value

Derived Formsexpectative (ɪkˈspɛktətɪv), adjective

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

Word Origin and History for expectation

expectation

1530s, from Middle French expectation (14c.) or directly from Latin expectationem/exspectationem (nominative expectatio/exspectatio) "anticipation, an awaiting," noun of action from past participle stem of expectare/exspectare (see expect). Related: Expectations.

expectation

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of expectation

Examples from the Web for expectation

expectation

noun

expectation