expectation
noun
ex·pec·ta·tion
ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən 
ik-
1
: the act or state of expecting : anticipation
in expectation of what would happen
2
3
: the state of being expected
4
b
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 on the Web
Ultimately, a neighbor’s home sale is an insight into market expectations that influences surrounding property value.
—
William Jones, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
But graduates of these programs might have high expectations of finding a good job in a very narrow field of specialization, which is a bit like threading a needle.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
An ‘Escalade’ With Tackle Anthony Belton There was an expectation Poles would use one of his high picks on a left tackle but the draft didn’t work that way.
—Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Taylor carries the extra weight of being Jason Taylor’s son, with the expectations that come with having a father enshrined in Canton.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectation
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William Jones, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
But graduates of these programs might have high expectations of finding a good job in a very narrow field of specialization, which is a bit like threading a needle.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
An ‘Escalade’ With Tackle Anthony Belton There was an expectation Poles would use one of his high picks on a left tackle but the draft didn’t work that way.
—Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Taylor carries the extra weight of being Jason Taylor’s son, with the expectations that come with having a father enshrined in Canton.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectation
Cite this Entry
“Expectation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expectation. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expectation
noun
ex·pec·ta·tion
ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən
ik-
1
: the act or state of expecting : a looking forward to or waiting for something
2
: chances of good or bad fortune
—usually used in plural
3
: something expected
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