anticipation

noun

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
Choose the Right Synonym for anticipation

prospect, outlook, anticipation, foretaste mean an advance realization of something to come.

prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern.

the prospect of a quiet weekend

outlook suggests a forecasting of the future.

a favorable outlook for the economy

anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen.

the anticipation of her arrival

foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming.

the frost was a foretaste of winter

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
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.
Mortgage rates also tend to move in anticipation of what the Fed is going to do in its upcoming meetings, said Jacob Channel, a senior economist at LendingTree. Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024 Now, there’s even more anticipation building for the release of Reputation (Taylor’s Version), the fifth album in her series of re-recordings. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024 Receiving the news that you have been deferred in the early application round can be a disappointing blow—while applicants hope that the mid-December decision will end the grueling anticipation of the admissions season, a deferral only prolongs the wait for a final decision. Christopher Rim, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 Count Down to Christmas with an Advent Calendar An Advent calendar is a Christmas tradition that brings a sense of anticipation and excitement throughout each day of the holiday season, particularly the month of December. Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for anticipation 

Word History

Etymology

see anticipate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of anticipation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near anticipation

Cite this Entry

“Anticipation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticipation. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

anticipation

noun
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
an-ˈtis-ə-pə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
adjective

Medical Definition

anticipation

noun
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
: 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.

More from Merriam-Webster on anticipation

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