expectation

[ek-spek-tey-shuh n] /ˌɛk spɛkˈteɪ ʃən/
noun
1.
the act or the state of expecting:
to wait in expectation.
2.
the act or state of looking forward or anticipating.
3.
an expectant mental attitude:
a high pitch of expectation.
4.
something expected; a thing looked forward to.
5.
Often, expectations. a prospect of future good or profit:
to have great expectations.
6.
the degree of probability that something will occur:
There is little expectation that he will come.
7.
Statistics. mathematical expectation.
8.
the state of being expected:
a large sum of money in expectation.
Origin
1530-40; < Latin expectātiōn- (stem of expectātiō) an awaiting, equivalent to expectāt(us) (past participle of expectāre to expect) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
expectational, adjective
expectationist, noun
overexpectation, noun
preexpectation, noun
superexpectation, noun
Can be confused
expectancy, expectation.
Synonyms
2. expectancy, anticipation; hope, trust.
Examples from the web for expectation
  • expectation to contribute to the department's general education offerings.
  • Only six months ago, the general expectation was that the financial world was about to fall off a cliff.
  • The scenario in the park had required no conversation, no prior acquaintance and no expectation of future interaction.
  • The cast is an expectation of what may yet be found.
  • All it requires is a reasonable expectation of getting better.
  • Significant scholarship is an expectation of the position.
  • The expectation of increased spending on roads and railways has helped to lift raw-material prices.
  • Ferries turned into floating markets and in village after village locals received them with great excitement and expectation.
  • The test measures the expectation that others will value the group over themselves.
  • The moral is that trust is ultimately about the expectation of rewards.
British Dictionary definitions for expectation

expectation

/ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən/
noun
1.
the act or state of expecting or the state of being expected
2.
(usually pl) something looked forward to, whether feared or hoped for: we have great expectations for his future, their worst expectations
3.
an attitude of expectancy or hope; anticipation: to regard something with expectation
4.
(statistics)
  1. the numerical probability that an event will occur
  2. another term for expected value
Derived Forms
expectative (ɪkˈspɛktətɪv) adjective
Word Origin and History for expectation
n.

1530s, from Middle French expectation (14c.) or directly from Latin expectationem/exspectationem (nominative expectatio/exspectatio) "anticipation, an awaiting," noun of action from past participle stem of expectare/exspectare (see expect). Related: Expectations.