Dictionary
anticipation
noun an·tic·i·pa·tion \(ˌ)an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən\
: a feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen
: the act of preparing for something
Full Definition of ANTICIPATION
1
a : a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action b : the act of looking forward; especially : pleasurable expectation
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
See anticipation defined for English-language learners
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First Known Use of ANTICIPATION
14th century
Related to ANTICIPATION
- Synonyms
- expectation, contemplation, expectance, expectancy, prospect
Synonym Discussion of ANTICIPATION
prospect, outlook, anticipation, foretaste mean an advance realization of something to come. prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern <the prospect of a quiet weekend>. outlook suggests a forecasting of the future <a favorable outlook for the economy>. anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen <the anticipation of her arrival>. foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming <the frost was a foretaste of winter>.
Rhymes with ANTICIPATION
abbreviation, abomination, acceleration, accentuation, accommodation, accreditation, acculturation, accumulation, actualization, adjudication, administration, adulteration, affiliation, agglomeration, alienation, alleviation, alliteration, amalgamation, amelioration, amplification, anglicization, annihilation, annunciation, appreciation, appropriation, approximation, argumentation, articulation, asphyxiation, assassination, asseveration, assimilation, association, atomization, attenuation, authentication, authorization, autoxidation, balkanization, bastardization, beautification, bowdlerization, calcification, canonization, capitulation, centralization, certification, cicatrization, civilization, clarification, classification, coagulation, codification, coeducation, cogeneration, cohabitation, collaboration, colonization, colorization, commemoration, commiseration, communication, concatenation, conciliation, confabulation, confederation, configuration, conglomeration, congratulation, consideration, consolidation, contamination, continuation, cooperation, coordination, corroboration, cross-pollination, crystallization, deactivation, debilitation, decapitation, deceleration, deconsecration, de-escalation, defenestration, defibrillation, deforestation, defragmentation, degeneration, deification, deliberation, delineation, demonization, denomination, denunciation, depopulation, depreciation, deracination, deregulation, desegregation, despoliation, determination, devaluation, digitization, disapprobation, discoloration, discrimination, disembarkation, disinclination, disinformation, disintegration, Disneyfication, dissemination, dissimulation, dissociation, documentation, domestication, dramatization, echolocation, edification, ejaculation, elaboration, elimination, elucidation, emaciation, emancipation, emasculation, enumeration, enunciation, equalization, equivocation, eradication, evacuation, evaluation, evaporation, evisceration, exaggeration, examination, exasperation, exhilaration, exoneration, expropriation, extenuation, extermination, extrapolation, facilitation, falsification, felicitation, feminization, fertilization, feudalization, finalization, Finlandization, formalization, fortification, fossilization, gasification, gentrification, gesticulation, globalization, glorification, gratification, habituation, hallucination, harmonization, humanization, humiliation, hyperinflation, idolization, illumination, imagination, impersonation, implementation, improvisation, inauguration, incarceration, incineration, incorporation, incrimination, indoctrination, inebriation, infatuation, initiation, inoculation, insemination, insinuation, instrumentation, internalization, interpretation, interrelation, interrogation, intimidation, intoxication, invagination, invalidation, investigation, invigoration, irradiation, itemization, justification, legalization, liberalization, magnetization, magnification, maladaptation, manifestation, manipulation, matriculation, maximization, mechanization, memorization, miscegenation, mobilization, modernization, modification, mortification, multiplication, mystification, nationalization, naturalization, negotiation, normalization, notification, novelization, nullification, obliteration, organization, origination, orientation, ornamentation, ossification, oxygenation, pacification, paralyzation, participation, pasteurization, perambulation, peregrination, perpetuation, personalization, petrification, polarization, pontification, precipitation, predestination, prefabrication, prefiguration, premeditation, preoccupation, preordination, preregistration, prettification, privatization, procrastination, prognostication, proliferation, propitiation, purification, qualification, ramification, randomization, ratification, realization, reciprocation, recombination, recommendation, recrimination, recuperation, redecoration, reduplication, reforestation, refrigeration, regeneration, regimentation, regurgitation, reification, reincarnation, reintegration, reiteration, rejuvenation, remuneration, renunciation, repatriation, representation, republication, repudiation, retaliation, reverberation, sanctification, scarification, sedimentation, sensitization, Serbo-Croatian, signification, simplification, socialization, solicitation, sophistication, specialization, specification, stabilization, standardization, sterilization, stratification, subordination, subpopulation, supplementation, synchronization, systemization, teleportation, tergiversation, transfiguration, transliteration, transvaluation, triangulation, uglification, unification, unionization, urbanization, verification, versification, victimization, vilification, vituperation, vocalization, vulgarization, westernization, x-radiation
ANTICIPATION Defined for Kids
anticipation
noun an·tic·i·pa·tion \an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən\
Definition of ANTICIPATION for Kids
1
: excitement about something that's going to happen <She looked forward to the trip with anticipation.>
2
: the act of preparing for something
Medical Dictionary
anticipation
noun an·tic·i·pa·tion \(ˌ)an-ˌtis-ə-ˈpā-shən\
Medical Definition of ANTICIPATION
1
: occurrence (as of a disease or symptom) before the normal or expected time
2
: mental attitude that influences a later response
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