anticipation

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /æn.tɪs.ɪˈpeɪ.ʃən/ or /æn.tɪs.əˈpeɪ.ʃən/

Noun

Singular anticipation

Plural anticipations

1. Anticipation is looking forward to or expecting something, expectancy, the eagerness associated with waiting for something to occur.

   He waited with great anticipation for Christmas to arrive.

2. The act of anticipating, taking up, placing, or considering something beforehand, or before the proper time in natural order.

   Often the anticipation of a shot is worse than the pain of the needle stick.

Related words

• anticipate
• anticipatory