expedition

noun

ex·​pe·​di·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈdi-shən How to pronounce expedition (audio)
1
a
: a journey or excursion undertaken for a specific purpose
b
: the group of persons making such a journey
2
: efficient promptness : speed
3
: a sending or setting forth
expeditioner noun
Choose the Right Synonym for expedition

haste, hurry, speed, expedition, dispatch mean quickness in movement or action.

haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness.

marry in haste

hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action.

exercises to increase your reading speed

expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters.

the case came to trial with expedition
paid bills with dispatch

Examples of expedition in a Sentence

a scientific expedition to Antarctica an avid mountain climber, always on an expedition to some far-off corner of the world
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That changed after an expedition to Iceland in search of the last of the great auks. Erin Maglaque, The New York Review of Books, 15 Nov. 2024 Children and their parents go on an expedition to learn about the insects in the garden, with a magnifying glass, pencil and crayons to record their findings. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 Chock full of exercises designed to take readers on a journey of self-exploration, Klein serves as leader of the expedition into what makes people better leaders. Janine MacLachlan, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Sherpas are more often than not the backbone of international mountaineering expeditions, hauling heavy gear and supplies up mountains and guiding people to high-altitude summits in dangerous conditions. Helen Regan, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for expedition 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of expedition was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near expedition

Cite this Entry

“Expedition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expedition. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

expedition

noun
ex·​pe·​di·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈdish-ən How to pronounce expedition (audio)
1
a
: a journey or trip undertaken for a specific purpose (as war or exploring)
b
: a group making such a journey
2
: prompt handling of what needs to be done
expeditioner noun

More from Merriam-Webster on expedition

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