expectation
noun
ex·pec·ta·tion
ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən 
ik-
1
: the act or state of expecting : anticipation
in expectation of what would happen
2
3
: the state of being expected
4
b
Examples of expectation in a Sentence
The company has expectations of making a profit next year.
I saved the files in the expectation that they would be useful in the future.
There is widespread expectation that the strike will be settled soon.
The crowd waited in expectation of her arrival.
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, the new mom doesn’t think the expectation of hosting is fair given the circumstances.
—
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
In July, the company reported a 39% rise in sales, beating Wall Street expectations of 34%.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Dark and elegant, growing more frightening as the plot thickens, The Medium surpasses all expectations of a Tai-South Korean mockumentary supernatural horror film.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
That element, combined by eager expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut have propped up many tech stocks of late.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectation
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Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
In July, the company reported a 39% rise in sales, beating Wall Street expectations of 34%.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Dark and elegant, growing more frightening as the plot thickens, The Medium surpasses all expectations of a Tai-South Korean mockumentary supernatural horror film.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
That element, combined by eager expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut have propped up many tech stocks of late.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectation
Cite this Entry
“Expectation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expectation. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expectation
noun
ex·pec·ta·tion
ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən
ik-
1
: the act or state of expecting : a looking forward to or waiting for something
2
: chances of good or bad fortune
—usually used in plural
3
: something expected
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