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

The expedition also established a coring system designed to meet standards set by the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026

Accommodations may be comfortable but relatively small, with simple decor, and evenings may center on talks with the expedition team about the day’s discoveries and the itinerary ahead. — Julie Jones, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026

Dafoe plays Colonel John Hunt, the leader of the 1953 British expedition team. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

The expedition of the world’s second-highest peak is undertaken at a time when temperatures just at the base camp can reach 50 below. — ABC News, 25 Sep. 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