expectancy

noun

ex·​pec·​tan·​cy ik-ˈspek-tən(t)-sē 

plural expectancies

1

a

: the act, action, or state of expecting

the strange expectancy that getting on any train gives us

—John Updike

b

: the state of being expected

occurs with an expectancy slightly greater than usual

2

a

: something expected

their belief led to an expectancy

b

: the expected amount (as of the number of years of life) based on statistical probability

life expectancy

Synonyms

• anticipation
• expectation

Examples of expectancy in a Sentence

that feeling of optimistic expectancy that fills theatergoers as they wait for the curtain to rise

Recent Examples on the Web

Leaders who cultivate a sense of expectancy are more likely to see opportunities that others miss. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

The exact expectancy of AG is unknown because people can be asymptomatic for years.3 Can iron deficiency cause atrophic gastritis? —Sayaka Blickenderfer, Health, 28 June 2025

The Giants’ win expectancy was at 64.6 percent, which means a team in that situation will win about two-thirds of the time. —Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 12 May 2025

However, a longer expectancy leads to a slower transfer of wealth and power compared to previous generations. —Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing expectancy

• life expectancy

Kids Definition

expectancy

noun

ex·​pect·​an·​cy

ik-ˈspek-tən-sē

plural expectancies

1

: expectation sense 1

2

: the expected amount (as of years of life) based on statistical probability

life expectancy

Medical Definition

expectancy

noun

ex·​pec·​tan·​cy -ˈspek-tən-sē 

plural expectancies

: the expected amount (as of the number of years of life) based on statistical probability see life expectancy

Legal Definition

expectancy

noun

ex·​pec·​tan·​cy

plural expectancies

: something expected: as

a

: an interest held by a person who may receive something (as a bequest) in the future but has no enforceable right to it

b

: the benefit that will be received from a contract if performed