anticipation

noun an·tic·i·pa·tion \ (ˌ)an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of anticipation

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

See anticipation defined for English-language learners

See anticipation defined for kids

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

Another 12 officers witnessed the incident, police said, along with a handful of witnesses who had assembled at the homeless shelter in anticipation of an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting that was set to start before Elifritz entered the building.

— eder campuzano, OregonLive.com, "Man shot by police in homeless shelter was once a white supremacist: report," 10 Apr. 2018
The cents-on-the-dollar gap is largest in Louisiana and Utah, followed closely by West Virginia and Montana, according to a press release sent out in anticipation of the paper's release.

— allie gross, Detroit Free Press, "What Michigan women could afford if they were paid as much as men," 9 Apr. 2018
Ohtani very nearly did, nearly enough to get the crowd cheering in anticipation of third strikes in the fifth and sixth innings.

— bill shaikin, latimes.com, "Shohei Ohtani was nearly perfect in his home pitching debut; Angels win 6-1 over Athletics," 9 Apr. 2018
In anticipation of the Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition, here are some of fashion’s best takes on the Versailles look.

— Vogue, "19 Runway Looks That Would’ve Fit Right In at Versailles," 9 Apr. 2018
Petra Falcón, executive director of Promise Arizona, said there is a push for more art like Hinojos' mural in south Phoenix in anticipation of the light rail arriving in the area.

— ryan santistevan, azcentral, "Artist dedicates south Phoenix mural to 'dreamers'," 8 Apr. 2018
In anticipation of the storm, water was released from the dam's hydroelectric plant to keep the reservoir level below 800 feet.

— molly sullivan and dale kasler, sacbee, "After heavy rains, first use of partly rebuilt Oroville Dam spillway now 'unlikely' | The Sacramento Bee," 8 Apr. 2018
In anticipation of his recent return from the hospital, the Borges family had to leave their fourth-floor apartment and find a one-story house, because Anthony can’t climb stairs.

— david fleshler, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Parkland shooting victim Anthony Borges criticizes Sheriff's Office and School District," 7 Apr. 2018
In the West, businesses in Reno and Sparks, Nev., were piling up sandbags in anticipation of the Truckee River hitting about 1.5 feet over flood stage on Saturday morning.

— rick jervis, USA TODAY, "Storms and tornadoes sweep through South ahead of cold front, causing damage and outages," 6 Apr. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

anticipation Synonyms

Synonyms

contemplation, expectance, expectancy, expectation, prospect;

Synonym Discussion of 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

ANTICIPATION Defined for English Language Learners

anticipation

noun

Definition of anticipation for English Language Learners

: a feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen
: the act of preparing for something

ANTICIPATION Defined for Kids

anticipation

noun an·tic·i·pa·tion \ an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən \

Definition 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

noun an·tic·i·pa·tion \ (ˌ)an-ˌtis-ə-ˈpā-shən \

medical 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

noun an·ti·ci·pa·tion \ an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən \

legal 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

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.