expectation Hear it!

expectation definition

ex·pec·ta·tion (ek′spek tā′s̸hən)

noun

  1. a looking forward to; anticipation
  2. a looking for as due, proper, or necessary
  3. a thing looked forward to
  4. a reason or warrant for looking forward to something; prospect for the future, as of advancement or prosperity
  5. the probability of the occurrence, duration, etc. of something, esp. as indicated by statistics

Etymology: L expectatio < pp. of expectare: see expect

Related Forms:

  • expectative ex·pecta·tive (ek spek′tə tiv, ik-) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.