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: quickness, alacrity, dispatch

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 Words From

• preex·pe·dition 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.

Example Sentences

The same author, Première expédition de Jeanne d'Arc, pp. 41 et seq.

From Project Gutenberg

Expédition scientifique de Morée, ordonnée par le Gouvernement Français.

From Project Gutenberg

Après qu'il eut rendu compte de son expédition au bureau, les dépouilles de l'épicier furent portées dans l'office.

From Project Gutenberg

The Expédition Nocturne, a less popular sequel, is not very different in plan.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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