anticipation

noun

an·​tic·​i·​pa·​tion (ˌ)an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən How to pronounce anticipation (audio)
1
a
: a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action
hired more security guards in anticipation of a large crowd
b
: the act of looking forward
especially : pleasurable expectation
looked forward with anticipation to their arrival
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
Choose the Right Synonym for anticipation

prospect, outlook, anticipation, foretaste mean an advance realization of something to come.

prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern.

the prospect of a quiet weekend

outlook suggests a forecasting of the future.

a favorable outlook for the economy

anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen.

the anticipation of her arrival

foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming.

the frost was a foretaste of winter

Examples of anticipation in a Sentence

She had a feeling of great anticipation before her graduation ceremony. He looked forward to the party with anticipation.
Recent Examples on the Web The market is buzzing with anticipation for an ETF backed by bitcoin’s little brother ether, the native token associated with the Ethereum blockchain and used to create such things as NFTs. Forbes Daily, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 You are not being punished with anticipation, but this chapter is acting like the preparation for a marathon. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2024 The new funds have played a defining role, with anticipation of their approval helping fuel 2023’s advance. Isabelle Lee, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024 What will keep bringing you back with anticipation? Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024 The pleasure from the anticipation and the remembering will be high even for a short holiday. Jessica Dulong, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024 And while a team getting hot and defying the odds as an underdog can be entertaining, seeing heavyweights that established their dominance during the regular season can help build anticipation for the matchup. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 As the doctors began the painstaking process of removing the mass — an orchestrated flurry of fingers tying knots, scalpels slicing flesh, cautery pens searing blood vessels shut — the room grew thick with anticipation. Megan Molteni, STAT, 21 Feb. 2024 Still, even with the outcome of the previous clash, this one probably wouldn't measure up to many of the other options in terms of anticipation. Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anticipation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see anticipate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of anticipation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near anticipation

Cite this Entry

“Anticipation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticipation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

anticipation

noun
an·​tic·​i·​pa·​tion (ˌ)an-ˌtis-ə-ˈpā-shən How to pronounce anticipation (audio)
1
: an earlier action that takes into account and deals with or prevents a later action
2
: pleasurable expectation
3
: the act of providing for an expected event or state
anticipatory
an-ˈtis-ə-pə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
adjective

Medical Definition

anticipation

noun
an·​tic·​i·​pa·​tion (ˌ)an-ˌtis-ə-ˈpā-shən How to pronounce anticipation (audio)
1
: occurrence (as of a disease or symptom) before the normal or expected time
2
: mental attitude that influences a later response

Legal Definition

anticipation

noun
an·​ti·​ci·​pa·​tion an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən How to pronounce anticipation (audio)
: the knowledge or use of an invention in the U.S. or the patenting or describing of the invention in a publication in the U.S. or a foreign country before the discovery by a patent applicant

Note: Case law has established that every claim or element of a claim has to be disclosed in the prior art in order for a patent application to be barred by anticipation. If an application is amended to consist of claims not disclosed in the prior art, invalidation by anticipation can be avoided.

More from Merriam-Webster on anticipation

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