expedition

noun

ex·​pe·​di·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈdi-shən 

1

a

: a journey or excursion undertaken for a specific purpose

b

: the group of persons making such a journey

2

: efficient promptness : speed

3

: a sending or setting forth

expeditioner

ˌek-spə-ˈdi-sh(ə-)nər 

noun

Synonyms of expedition

• trip
• journey
• trek
• excursion

Choose the Right Synonym for expedition

haste, hurry, speed, expedition, dispatch mean quickness in movement or action.

haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness.

marry in haste

hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action.

exercises to increase your reading speed

expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters.

the case came to trial with expedition

paid bills with dispatch

Examples of expedition in a Sentence

a scientific expedition to Antarctica

an avid mountain climber, always on an expedition to some far-off corner of the world

Recent Examples on the Web

Stroll around the wharf and its eclectic businesses, or get out on the water with whale watching expeditions, sailing cruises, fishing and lobstering tours, and day trips and ferry rides to explore Casco Bay and its stunning islands. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 July 2026

The bigger successors are both 328-foot expedition yachts (or boutique cruise ships) designed for charter. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 July 2026

Zinzindohoué says future expeditions—including direct coral sampling and broader seafloor surveys of the west African coast—will be needed to determine the reef's full extent and to reconstruct its history. — Sanidhya Sharma, Scientific American, 22 July 2026

In the afternoon, watch a documentary about the American Museum of Natural History’s expeditions to Mongolia in the 1920s before visiting the Flaming Cliffs, one of the world’s most significant paleontological sites. — Undraa Buyannemekh, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing expedition

• fishing expedition

Rhymes for expedition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

expedition

noun

ex·​pe·​di·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈdish-ən 

1

a

: a journey or trip undertaken for a specific purpose (as war or exploring)

b

: a group making such a journey

2

: prompt handling of what needs to be done

expeditioner

-ˈdish-(ə-)nər 

noun