/ ˌekspekˈteɪʃn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U , C ] expectation (of sth) | expectation (that ... ) a belief that sth will happen because it is likely :
We are confident in our expectation of a full recovery.
There was a general expectation that he would win.
I applied for the post more in hope than expectation.
The expectation is that property prices will rise.
Contrary to expectations , interest rates did not rise.
Against all expectations , she was enjoying herself.
2.
[ C , usually pl. , U ] a hope that sth good will happen :
She went to college with great expectations.
There was an air of expectation and great curiosity.
The results exceeded our expectations.
The numbers attending fell short of expectations.
The event did not live up to expectations .
3.
[ C , usually pl. ] a strong belief about the way sth should happen or how sb should behave :
Some parents have unrealistic expectations of their children.
Unfortunately the new software has failed to meet expectations .
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from Latin expectatio(n-) , from the verb expectare (see expect ).