What does "anticipation" mean?

1. (expectation and excitement) a feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen soon. 2. (preparing beforehand) doing something early because you expect it will be needed later. 3. (musical tone) a note played slightly before the rest of the chord it belongs to. 4. (paying a debt early) paying back a loan or debt before the date it is actually due.

anticipation

US //ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən// UK //æntˈɪsɪpˈeɪʃən// an·tic·i·pa·tion

1 expectation and excitement (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen soon.

the state of looking forward to an event, typically with a degree of eagerness or anxiety.

Example

The children were shaking with anticipation as they waited for the party to start.

Example

The crowd waited in breathless anticipation for the soloist to take the stage, their eyes fixed on the velvet curtains.
- dread
- indifference
2 preparing beforehand (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

doing something early because you expect it will be needed later.

the act of taking action or considering something before the proper or expected time.

Example

In anticipation of the storm, we put all the garden furniture in the garage.

Example

The city council reinforced the sea walls in anticipation of rising tides, demonstrating a rare instance of long-term infrastructure planning.
- prevention
- foresight
- reaction

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3 musical tone (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Music

a note played slightly before the rest of the chord it belongs to.

a non-harmonic note that is played or sung just before the chord in which it is a structural member.

Example

The singer used a slight anticipation to make the melody feel more emotional.

Example

The composer employed a melodic anticipation in the flute part, creating a momentary dissonance that resolved beautifully into the final cadence.
- retardation
4 paying a debt early (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Finance

paying back a loan or debt before the date it is actually due.

the prepayment of a financial obligation, often executed to reduce the total interest accrued.

Example

The contract allows for the anticipation of the loan without any extra fees.

Example

The corporation opted for the anticipation of its high-interest bonds to improve its balance sheet before the end of the fiscal year.
- prepayment