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; expect

Example Sentences

The war isn’t finished, so there can be no expectation of mass protests, optimists explain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

"I think once you set out the expectation, the players know what they need to do. And we've added in sort of benchmarks over the winter," Edwards added.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Morgan Stanley analysts recently wrote the stock could rise 30%, partly on the expectation of more data center deals.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

He said the market’s new expectation of steady or higher rates ahead is working in the Fed’s favor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

What’s more, the release of Hamilton's plan produced a purchasing frenzy, as bankers and investors aware of the funding proposal bought up the securities in expectation of a tidy profit.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

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