expedition

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

expeditioner

2 of 2

noun (2)

ex·​pe·​di·​tion·​er -sh(ə)nə(r) 

plural -s

: expeditionary

the expeditioners left Reykjavik on June 22

—Thomas Foster

Synonyms of expedition

Noun (1)

• 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

Noun (1)

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

Noun

He's since been hard at work liaising with DEB initiative leadership to test software updates and troubleshoot other issues, while also travelling to Mexico to help train student members of the team ahead of their expedition to Spain. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 16 July 2026

In 1843, English botanist Joseph Hooker returned from Antarctica with samples and illustrations of plants from his expedition. — Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 16 July 2026

Musk also will be looking to make good on his company's promise of sometime in the years ahead launching a private human expedition to Mars orbit. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Plus, the overnight experience allows researchers to behave more like Jane Goodall with her chimpanzees, Keragis said, instead of a fly-by expedition. — Alex Harris july 15, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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