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
This ensures expectations are met and adjusted as needed.
—
Zekeriya Polat, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Consumer are worried as well: 12-month inflation expectations jumped to 6%, up from 5.2% the prior month and well ahead of the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2025
Armed with a sliver of hope but no real expectations, Lee showed up to the tryout one day in September and worked with the infielders.
—Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
There is also the broad expectation that field offices, especially smaller ones in more rural parts of the country, will be shuttered.
—Rachel Siegel The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Zekeriya Polat, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Consumer are worried as well: 12-month inflation expectations jumped to 6%, up from 5.2% the prior month and well ahead of the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2025
Armed with a sliver of hope but no real expectations, Lee showed up to the tryout one day in September and worked with the infielders.
—Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
There is also the broad expectation that field offices, especially smaller ones in more rural parts of the country, will be shuttered.
—Rachel Siegel The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 25 Feb. 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 1 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share