expectancy

noun

ex·​pec·​tan·​cy ik-ˈspek-tən(t)-sē How to pronounce expectancy (audio)
plural expectancies
1
a
: the act, action, or state of expecting
the strange expectancy that getting on any train gives usJohn 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

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 In ancient Greece and Rome, people fared little better as some estimates place the expectancy range between 20 and 35 years. Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024 Initial estimates for 2022 are that expectancy rose 1.1 years. The Editors, National Review, 15 Jan. 2024 Getty Images Life expectancy should increase globally by the end of the century—good news for grandparents and great-grandparents looking to spend more time with their grandchildren. Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 10 Jan. 2024 Topline Life expectancy in the U.S. ticked upward in 2022, after two consecutive years of declines fueled mainly by the Covid-19 pandemic, data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday showed. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023 Either man could have clicked a few times to see the Dodgers’ win expectancy. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023 Research shows retirement expectancies are often off. Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 15 June 2023 Given their short career expectancy, NFL players inevitably feel anxiety when injuries or coaching decisions impinge on their financial outlook. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2023 Poverty is an indicator for life expectancies in the U.S. – the poorer someone is, the more likely to die younger. Robert Samuels, Fortune, 25 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expectancy.' 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

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of expectancy was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near expectancy

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

expectancy

noun
ex·​pect·​an·​cy
ik-ˈspek-tən-sē
plural expectancies
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 How to pronounce expectancy (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on expectancy

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