noun

expectation

ek-spek-TAY-shun/ˌekspekˈteɪʃn/

A belief about what will or should happen.

The gardener's expectation centers on the seedling becoming a mature plant.

A white gardener looks at a young planted seedling beside an imagined mature plant, showing an anticipated outcome.

Etymology

exLatinthoroughly

+pectLatinto look

+ationLatinaction or state

The looking root underlies looking forward to something, and the noun ending makes this a state of anticipation. Confident awaiting developed into a belief about what will happen.

In context

Carnegie Explains27:02

this is our belief our expectation is that states good States will do X

Cyber Norms Revisited: International Cybersecurity and the Way Forward

More examples

The teacher sets clear expectations for classroom behavior.
The meal exceeds our expectations.
She accepts the job with the expectation of regular raises.

Forms

expectation · expectations

expect verb — To believe something will or should happen.

Similar words

anticipation: Emphasizes looking ahead to an event, often with excitement.
prediction: States what will happen rather than what should happen.
standard: Specifies a level of quality or behavior to meet.