Definition of anticipation
1a : a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action hired more security guards in anticipation of a large crowdb : the act of looking forward; especially : pleasurable expectation looked forward with anticipation to their arrival
2 : the use of money before it is available
3a : visualization of a future event or stateb : 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
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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 of anticipation from the Web
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This confounds the station’s owners, who have booked ads in anticipation of a station visit from Metallica.
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Though there are another four hours until the first pitch is thrown, the excitement and anticipation already is palpable in the stagnant spring-but-feels-like-summer air.
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Frank Lloyd Wright Trail, Wisconsin Launched late last year, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail opened in anticipation of this year’s celebration.
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AlixPartners is also expanding its restructuring practice in anticipation of more distress, according to Lisa Donahue, who leads the group from New York.
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Jose, a 43-year-old Mexican living in the U.S. illegally since 2001, and his wife Holly left Austin for Seattle in January in anticipation of Texas’ immigration crackdown.
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But what ends up on the screen, after months of anticipation, is just a mess.
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After decades of public debate, of anger, of anxiety, of anticipation, of humiliation and of frustration.
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The anticipation of not being able to see what’s happening or when the rimming will begin can be extremely arousing for your partner.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anticipation'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of anticipation
see anticipate
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of anticipation
ANTICIPATION Defined for English Language Learners
anticipation
playDefinition of anticipation for English Language Learners
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: a feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen
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: the act of preparing for something
ANTICIPATION Defined for Kids
anticipation
playDefinition of anticipation for Students
1 : excitement about something that's going to happen She looked forward to the trip with anticipation.
2 : the act of preparing for something
Medical Dictionary
anticipation
playMedical Definition of anticipation
1: occurrence (as of a disease or symptom) before the normal or expected time
2: mental attitude that influences a later response
Law Dictionary
anticipation
playLegal Definition of anticipation
: 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
Additional Notes on anticipation
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.
Learn More about anticipation
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See words that rhyme with anticipation Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for anticipation Spanish Central: Translation of anticipation Nglish: Translation of anticipation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of anticipation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anticipation
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