anticipation
noun
an·tic·i·pa·tion
(ˌ)an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən 
1
a
: a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action
hired more security guards in anticipation of a large crowd
b
: the act of looking forward
especially
: pleasurable expectation
looked forward with anticipation to their arrival
2
: the use of money before it is available
3
a
: visualization of a future event or state
b
: an object or form that anticipates a later type
4
: the early sounding of one or more tones of a succeeding chord to form a temporary dissonance compare suspension
Examples of anticipation in a Sentence
She had a feeling of great anticipation before her graduation ceremony.
He looked forward to the party with anticipation.
Recent Examples on the Web
The scarcity invites anticipation; the anticipation invites speculation.
—
Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
From the gleeful anticipation of lifting the Premier League trophy on the final day last May to the absurdity of nervously looking over their shoulder at Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth with the finish line in sight 12 months on.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 16 May 2026
On Thursday, a tipster sent us a copy of a similar bulletin drafted by Nissan in anticipation of a similar supply crunch—and an accompanying price hike for service departments.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 15 May 2026
But the five-time ACM winner explains the anticipation for Sunday night's show is different from a concert.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for anticipation
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Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
From the gleeful anticipation of lifting the Premier League trophy on the final day last May to the absurdity of nervously looking over their shoulder at Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth with the finish line in sight 12 months on.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 16 May 2026
On Thursday, a tipster sent us a copy of a similar bulletin drafted by Nissan in anticipation of a similar supply crunch—and an accompanying price hike for service departments.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 15 May 2026
But the five-time ACM winner explains the anticipation for Sunday night's show is different from a concert.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for anticipation
Cite this Entry
“Anticipation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticipation. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
anticipation
noun
an·tic·i·pa·tion
(ˌ)an-ˌtis-ə-ˈpā-shən
1
: an earlier action that takes into account and deals with or prevents a later action
2
: pleasurable expectation
3
: the act of providing for an expected event or state
anticipatory
adjective
an-ˈtis-ə-pə-ˌtōr-ē,
-ˌtȯr-
Medical Definition
anticipation
noun
an·tic·i·pa·tion
(ˌ)an-ˌtis-ə-ˈpā-shən
1
: occurrence (as of a disease or symptom) before the normal or expected time
2
: mental attitude that influences a later response
Legal Definition
anticipation
noun
an·ti·ci·pa·tion
an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən
: the knowledge or use of an invention in the U.S. or the patenting or describing of the invention in a publication in the U.S. or a foreign country before the discovery by a patent applicant
Note: Case law has established that every claim or element of a claim has to be disclosed in the prior art in order for a patent application to be barred by anticipation. If an application is amended to consist of claims not disclosed in the prior art, invalidation by anticipation can be avoided.
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