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
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
Satisfying the ever increasing power and cooling needs of AI data centers may keep propelling Vertiv’s stock ahead of investor expectations.
—
Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Earnings per share came in at 57 cents, below analyst expectations and compared to 74 cents in the second quarter of 2024.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2025
The French house reported a 9 percent increase in second-quarter sales, reaching $4.4 billion (€3.9 billion), outpacing analyst expectations and its rival global luxury brands.
—India Brown, Robb Report, 31 July 2025
While extravagant events rich in detail often come at a steep cost, Garcia’s quinceañera surpassed even the highest expectations.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectation
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Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Earnings per share came in at 57 cents, below analyst expectations and compared to 74 cents in the second quarter of 2024.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2025
The French house reported a 9 percent increase in second-quarter sales, reaching $4.4 billion (€3.9 billion), outpacing analyst expectations and its rival global luxury brands.
—India Brown, Robb Report, 31 July 2025
While extravagant events rich in detail often come at a steep cost, Garcia’s quinceañera surpassed even the highest expectations.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectation
Cite this Entry
“Expectation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expectation. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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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