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
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
There is also mounting anticipation for a Battle of Ontario series pitting the Senators against the rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
—
Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
The anticipation of new messages, posts or updates can create a sense of social pressure to stay online and reinforce the habit of delaying sleep.
—Brian N. Chin, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
Universal Orlando has finally pulled back the curtain on the new Epic Universe theme park in Florida after years of anticipation, high expectations and plenty of hype.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2025
Fear is the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threats, whereas anxiety is the anticipation of future threats.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipation
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Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
The anticipation of new messages, posts or updates can create a sense of social pressure to stay online and reinforce the habit of delaying sleep.
—Brian N. Chin, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
Universal Orlando has finally pulled back the curtain on the new Epic Universe theme park in Florida after years of anticipation, high expectations and plenty of hype.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2025
Fear is the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threats, whereas anxiety is the anticipation of future threats.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipation
Cite this Entry
“Anticipation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticipation. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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.
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