Main Entry: an·tic·i·pa·tion

Pronunciation: \(ˌ)an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən\

Function: noun

Date: 14th century

1 a : a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action b : the act of looking forward; especially : pleasurable expectation
2 : the use of money before it is available
3 a : visualization of a future event or state b : an object or form that anticipates a later type
4 : the early sounding of one or more tones of a succeeding chord to form a temporary dissonance — compare suspension

synonyms see prospect