expectation

noun

ex·​pec·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce expectation (audio)
ik-
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
expectational adjective

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 Inflation expectations were back to normal, and the labor market had largely rebalanced to its pre-pandemic state without the unemployment rate going up. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024 And embrace the pressure, expectations and title-winning window that has been thrust upon them. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2024 Eighty-five percent of Millennial parents believe that social media gives rise to unrealistic parenting expectations. Tyler Santora, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024 There are disadvantages to being part of a hotel, most of them involving confounding tourist expectations, Epps says, but the advantages are hard to ignore. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024 Jar of Flies was recorded in a week as a casual sequel to the band’s first acoustic EP, 1992’s Sap, without lofty commercial expectations to become a proper follow-up to Dirt. Spin Contributor, SPIN, 22 Mar. 2024 What occurs, however, when housing prices remain elevated but expectations begin to decline? Christos Makridis, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024 But the state program has been criticized over the years as projects have failed to live up to expectations. Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 Name Withheld From the Ethicist: What counts as plagiarism is a matter of conventions and attendant expectations. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expectation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of expectation was in 1540

Dictionary Entries Near expectation

Cite this Entry

“Expectation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expectation. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

expectation

noun
ex·​pec·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce expectation (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on expectation

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