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 
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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 22 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.
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