Definition of expectation
1 : the act or state of expecting : anticipation in expectation of what would happen
2a : something expected not up to expectations expectations for an economic recoveryb : basis for expecting : assurance they have every expectation of successc : prospects of inheritance —usually used in plural
3 : the state of being expected
4a : expectancy 2bb : expected value
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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
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The ADP’s private employment report released Thursday crushed expectations, raising the bar for Friday’s release somewhat and fostering a rise in Treasury yields as well as the U.S. dollar, the best-performing G10 currency on the day.
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Indeed, as anyone who follows the investment world knows (and Professor Fisher forgot, to his eternal shame), markets have a way of confounding all expectations, sometimes within days.
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Meeting through-the-roof expectations at Texas means Herman’s success is no guarantee.
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The finale must rise to scintillating and spectacular just to meet expectations.
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For the Wellesley community, that expectation, and that certainty, were predated by a conviction tracing back decades.
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Is there a link between such content — and the expectation of more — and the loosening of federal rules?
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It’s also a managing-expectations business, especially when the gym falls silent.
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Even with a young, vibrant team that is playing beyond expectations, attendance has continued to fall this season.
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.
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First Known Use of expectation
1540
EXPECTATION Defined for English Language Learners
expectation
playDefinition of expectation for English Language Learners
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: a belief that something will happen or is likely to happen
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: a feeling or belief about how successful, good, etc., someone or something will be
EXPECTATION Defined for Kids
expectation
playDefinition of expectation for Students
1 : the state of looking forward to or waiting for something The crowd waited in expectation for her.
2 : something expected The expectation was for a win.
Learn More about expectation
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See words that rhyme with expectation Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for expectation Spanish Central: Translation of expectation Nglish: Translation of expectation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of expectation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about expectation
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