expectancy

noun

ex·​pec·​tan·​cy ik-ˈspek-tən(t)-sē 

plural expectancies

1

a

: the act, action, or state of expecting

the strange expectancy that getting on any train gives us

—John Updike

b

: the state of being expected

occurs with an expectancy slightly greater than usual

2

a

: something expected

their belief led to an expectancy

b

: the expected amount (as of the number of years of life) based on statistical probability

life expectancy

Synonyms

• anticipation
• contemplation
• expectance
• expectation
• prospect

Examples of expectancy in a Sentence

that feeling of optimistic expectancy that fills theatergoers as they wait for the curtain to rise

Recent Examples on the Web

Research shows retirement expectancies are often off. —Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 15 June 2023

Given their short career expectancy, NFL players inevitably feel anxiety when injuries or coaching decisions impinge on their financial outlook. —Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2023

Poverty is an indicator for life expectancies in the U.S. – the poorer someone is, the more likely to die younger. —Robert Samuels, Fortune, 25 May 2023

Some observers have tried to explain that U.S. life expectancy is low due to the dramatically lower expectancy of our Black population, particularly Black men. —Scott Burns, Dallas News, 9 Sep. 2022

Poverty has a serious impact on physical and mental health: It is associated with higher infant mortality, lower adult life expectancy, poorer mental health, asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. —WIRED, 27 June 2023

Ruther said there isn't sufficient data to calculate expectancy for other races, but was able to visualize expectancy between Black and white Kentuckians since 2010. —Sarah Ladd, The Courier-Journal, 6 Sep. 2022

Front offices rely on deeper stats that measure expectancy and probability. —Dallas News, 1 May 2022

The commonwealth ranked the bottom five states for life expectancy, too, at No. 47, right behind Louisiana. —Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 9 May 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing expectancy

• life expectancy

• life expectancy

Kids Definition

expectancy

noun

ex·​pect·​an·​cy

ik-ˈspek-tən-sē

plural expectancies

1

: expectation sense 1

2

: the expected amount (as of years of life) based on statistical probability

life expectancy

Medical Definition

expectancy

noun

ex·​pec·​tan·​cy -ˈspek-tən-sē 

plural expectancies

: the expected amount (as of the number of years of life) based on statistical probability see life expectancy

Legal Definition

expectancy

noun

ex·​pec·​tan·​cy

plural expectancies

: something expected: as

a

: an interest held by a person who may receive something (as a bequest) in the future but has no enforceable right to it

b

: the benefit that will be received from a contract if performed