anticipation
noun
an·tic·i·pa·tion
(ˌ)an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən 
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
Synonyms
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
Part of the holiday season's excitement is the anticipation.
—
Ali Faccenda, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Come Tuesday night, millions of Americans will be glued to their TV screens or refreshing their browser windows to see the latest election returns, all in anticipation of a final race call.
—Ellen Ioanes, Vox, 5 Nov. 2024
Workers beyond Boeing’s factories will likely be watching the vote with great anticipation, as well.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 4 Nov. 2024
After all, Circle and Tether have been raking in substantial profits following the interest rate hikes of the last two years, and with ongoing anticipation around a Circle IPO, the market appears primed for further growth and consolidation.
—Christian Catalini, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for anticipation 
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.
Ali Faccenda, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Come Tuesday night, millions of Americans will be glued to their TV screens or refreshing their browser windows to see the latest election returns, all in anticipation of a final race call.
—Ellen Ioanes, Vox, 5 Nov. 2024
Workers beyond Boeing’s factories will likely be watching the vote with great anticipation, as well.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 4 Nov. 2024
After all, Circle and Tether have been raking in substantial profits following the interest rate hikes of the last two years, and with ongoing anticipation around a Circle IPO, the market appears primed for further growth and consolidation.
—Christian Catalini, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for anticipation
Articles Related to anticipation
Dictionary Entries Near anticipation
Cite this Entry
“Anticipation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticipation. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
anticipation
noun
an·tic·i·pa·tion
(ˌ)an-ˌtis-ə-ˈpā-shən
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
adjective
an-ˈtis-ə-pə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
Medical Definition
anticipation
noun
an·tic·i·pa·tion
(ˌ)an-ˌtis-ə-ˈpā-shən
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
an·ti·ci·pa·tion
an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən
: 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.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share