verb
await
uh-WAYT/əˈweɪt/
To wait for something to happen or arrive.
The man awaits the bus, checking his watch as it approaches.
Etymology
Watching for someone to arrive, originally with ambush or spying in mind, supplied the image behind await. That watchfulness became the more general idea of waiting for something expected.
In context
But the Allied army now had to await the arrival of the Imperialist contingent, which made up an additional 16 battalions and 67 squadrons. The Imperialists arrived one month late.
More examples
- A warm welcome awaited us at the cabin.
- She is awaiting the laboratory results.
- We awaited their reply for several days.
Forms
await · awaits · awaited · awaiting
Similar words
- wait for
- The ordinary phrasing; await is somewhat more formal.
- expect
- Expect anticipates something without necessarily waiting for it.