expedition

noun

ex·​pe·​di·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈdi-shən How to pronounce expedition (audio)
Synonyms of expedition
1
a
: a journey or excursion undertaken for a specific purpose
b
: the group of persons making such a journey
2
: efficient promptness : speed
3
: a sending or setting forth
expeditioner
ˌek-spə-ˈdi-sh(ə-)nər How to pronounce expedition (audio)
noun

Synonyms of expedition

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haste, hurry, speed, expedition, dispatch mean quickness in movement or action.

haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness.

marry in haste

hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action.

exercises to increase your reading speed

expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters.

the case came to trial with expedition
paid bills with dispatch

Examples of expedition in a Sentence

a scientific expedition to Antarctica an avid mountain climber, always on an expedition to some far-off corner of the world
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The film follows Tom Adams (Fraser), an architect of the future who launches a historic expedition to Mars, positioning himself at the forefront of humanity’s next great frontier. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026 Sign up for updates from CNN Science on the upcoming total solar eclipse and whenever there’s a must-see, out-of-this-world expedition. — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026 Skywatching Editor Daisy Dobrijevic is on an eclipse expedition to Greenland with HX Expeditions and Skywatching Writer Anthony Wood is heading to Spain shortly to experience the eclipse with NASA's DEB initiative and citizen scientists. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 5 Aug. 2026 The expedition is based on researchers' belief that Earhart's plane came down near Nikumaroro, known as the Nikumaroro Hypothesis. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expedition

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of expedition was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing expedition

Rhymes for expedition

See All Rhymes for expedition

Browse Nearby Words

expediter
expedition
expeditionary
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Cite this Entry

“Expedition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expedition. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

expedition

noun
ex·​pe·​di·​tion ˌek-spə-ˈdish-ən How to pronounce expedition (audio)
1
a
: a journey or trip undertaken for a specific purpose (as war or exploring)
b
: a group making such a journey
2
: prompt handling of what needs to be done
expeditioner
-ˈdish-(ə-)nər How to pronounce expedition (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on expedition

Nglish: Translation of expedition for Spanish Speakers

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