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
Yet the series skewers any audience expectations about, well, everything.
—
Carole Horst, Variety, 13 June 2025
By adopting a startup growth mindset, leaders can stay ahead of changing expectations.
—Botir Nasridinov, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Yet there is still a degree of expectation for the club that has just won its 20th English league title to flex their muscles in the older age groups through results on the pitch.
—Gregg Evans, New York Times, 13 June 2025
The preliminary report from the University of Michigan said sentiment improved for the first time in six months after Trump put many of his tariffs on pause, while U.S. consumers’ expectations for coming inflation eased.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectation
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Carole Horst, Variety, 13 June 2025
By adopting a startup growth mindset, leaders can stay ahead of changing expectations.
—Botir Nasridinov, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Yet there is still a degree of expectation for the club that has just won its 20th English league title to flex their muscles in the older age groups through results on the pitch.
—Gregg Evans, New York Times, 13 June 2025
The preliminary report from the University of Michigan said sentiment improved for the first time in six months after Trump put many of his tariffs on pause, while U.S. consumers’ expectations for coming inflation eased.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 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 18 Jun. 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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