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

/ 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

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

Trump has championed cryptocurrency, and his election saw the value of Bitcoin go up by 30% in the past week due to an expectation that his administration will be more crypto-friendly.

From BBC

“The minimal expectation is that the device is turned off and stored,” Chait said.

From Los Angeles Times

Associates were introduced in the NHS 21 years ago with the expectation they would support doctors by delivering basic care.

From BBC

Setting such relationships as the centerpiece for a movie can be risky; audiences may have the expectation that friends don’t have as much potential for drama or roller-coaster emotions as people who are in love.

From Los Angeles Times

“But,” he said, “I’m going to begin with a hopeful expectation that there are broad areas where we can work together and move the state and the country forward.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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