anticipation
n. uncountable B2 Upper Intermediate US //ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən// UK //æntˈɪsɪpˈeɪʃən// an·tic·i·pa·tion
n. the feeling of excitement or worry about something that is going to happen soon. You often feel this when you are waiting for a big event.
n. the state of expecting or looking forward to a future event. Often involves a mixture of excitement and preparation for what is to come.
The children were full of anticipation on the night before the trip.
Fans waited in the rain for hours, their anticipation growing as the concert start time approached.
The marketing team spent months building anticipation for the product launch, ensuring that consumer demand would be at its peak the moment the doors opened.
Usage
Often paired with the preposition 'of' or 'in' ('in anticipation of').