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

Despite the brief health scare, Rife told The Times his career trajectory had far exceeded his expectations.

From Los Angeles Times

In expectation of this approach other companies – including debt laden Southern Water - have already said shareholders rather than customers would pay bonuses to executives.

From BBC

But defying expectations is nearly impossible, especially when it comes to adapting a property as universally beloved as the long-running Broadway musical “Wicked.”

From Salon

The IDF says it’s investigating the incident, but Hanan’s grieving relatives have little hope or expectation that her killer will be brought to justice.

From BBC

“We were given certain expectations about features that would be released,” Rueben told us.

From BBC

Related Words

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