expectation

noun ex·pec·ta·tion \ ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən , ik- \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of expectation

1 : the act or state of expecting : anticipation

in expectation of what would happen

2 a : something expected

not up to expectations

expectations for an economic recovery

b : basis for expecting : assurance

they have every expectation of success

c : prospects of inheritance —usually used in plural

3 : the state of being expected

4 a : expectancy 2b

b : expected value

—

expectational

play \ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shə-nᵊl, -shnəl\ adjective

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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 of expectation from the Web

The Best Tattoo Ideas for Men, According to a Celebrity Tattoo Artist To set expectations, Dowdell tells his clients the following before each appointment.

— adam hurly, GQ, "The Best Tattoo Ideas for Men, According to a Celebrity Tattoo Artist," 12 May 2018
After the early-season win, expectations tipping Gerardo Martino to emulate the late Tito Vilanova's success from the previous year soared, although Atletico Madrid would eventually go on and pip them to the silverware.

— SI.com, "Levante vs Barcelona Match Preview: Classic Encounter, Key Battle, Team News & More," 12 May 2018
When chamber music moves from the parlor into the concert hall, along with it come professional expectations.

— peter dobrin, Philly.com, "Pamela Frank, Jaime Laredo wallow in Brahms for friends and family," 12 May 2018
Patience and realistic time expectations will make life better for everyone.

— jerry reynolds, Houston Chronicle, "Avoid summer service woes," 12 May 2018
These examples show how people of color are subject to arbitrary social expectations and heightened scrutiny.

— p.r. lockhart, Vox, "White people keep calling the cops on black people for no reason. That’s dangerous.," 11 May 2018
Because of those moderate expectations and a lack of acceptance that the NHL playoffs are as random as a game of roulette, Boudreau was fired after leading the Caps to a staggering 201-88-40 record in his first four seasons.

— chris chase, For The Win, "Dwane Casey and the 10 other best coaches to be fired," 11 May 2018
Now, those hopes for an influx of customers — several were in the store when the Free Press stopped by last week — rely on an expectation that more stores will eventually open in the area.

— eric d. lawrence, Detroit Free Press, "We rode Detroit's QLINE after 1 year: What's different," 11 May 2018
Oil prices hit 3½-year highs this week amid expectations that renewed U.S. economic sanctions will squeeze Iran’s oil supply and escalate regional tensions that have the potential to further limit the flow of crude.

— georgi kantchev, WSJ, "Iranian Oil Squeeze Could Upset OPEC Agreement on Production Cuts," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'expectation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.