expectation
noun
ex·pec·ta·tion
ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən 
ik-
1
: the act or state of expecting : anticipation
in expectation of what would happen
2
3
: the state of being expected
4
b
Synonyms
Examples of expectation in a Sentence
The company has expectations of making a profit next year.
I saved the files in the expectation that they would be useful in the future.
There is widespread expectation that the strike will be settled soon.
The crowd waited in expectation of her arrival.
Recent Examples on the Web
But even Diller, an avowedly pro-office boss, can admit that five days a week in-person is simply beyond the scope of expectation for most workers.
—
Jane Thier, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management's current expectations and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainty and changes in circumstances.
—Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
Recession fears retreated as economic indicators exceeded expectations again and again.
—Wendy Edelberg and Tara Watson, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
The latest weekly jobless claims released Thursday by the Department of Labor released showed that initial applications for unemployment benefits climbed to a nine-week high of 221,000, slightly above expectations.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
In January, the U.S. economy added 353,000 jobs, which blew away most economists' expectations.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2024
There are a variety of items on sale like this rattan glass coffee table, a fluted TV stand, and this alternative accent chair that shoppers said exceeded their expectations.
—Megan Schaltegger, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
These forward-looking statements are based on Moderna's current expectations and speak only as of the date of this press release.
—Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
The two-year yield, which moves more closely with expectations for Fed action, slipped to 4.69% from 4.71% late Monday.
—Yuri Kageyama, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
Jane Thier, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management's current expectations and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainty and changes in circumstances.
—Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
Recession fears retreated as economic indicators exceeded expectations again and again.
—Wendy Edelberg and Tara Watson, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
The latest weekly jobless claims released Thursday by the Department of Labor released showed that initial applications for unemployment benefits climbed to a nine-week high of 221,000, slightly above expectations.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
In January, the U.S. economy added 353,000 jobs, which blew away most economists' expectations.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2024
There are a variety of items on sale like this rattan glass coffee table, a fluted TV stand, and this alternative accent chair that shoppers said exceeded their expectations.
—Megan Schaltegger, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
These forward-looking statements are based on Moderna's current expectations and speak only as of the date of this press release.
—Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
The two-year yield, which moves more closely with expectations for Fed action, slipped to 4.69% from 4.71% late Monday.
—Yuri Kageyama, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expectation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near expectation
Cite this Entry
“Expectation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expectation. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expectation
noun
ex·pec·ta·tion
ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən
ik-
1
: the act or state of expecting : a looking forward to or waiting for something
2
: chances of good or bad fortune
—usually used in plural
3
: something expected
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