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 new Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea series follows brilliant ocean scientist Lee Crane (Ridley), who is pulled into a classified government program after a catastrophic Arctic expedition claims the life of her twin sister. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026 Japan launched a $578 million mission Monday on a five-year expedition to land on the largest moon of Mars and retrieve samples for return to Earth, a daring international project that could yield new insights into the formation of the Solar System. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026 An expedition to find evidence of Amelia Earhart’s missing plane near a remote island in the South Pacific has come up empty, researchers said Sunday. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026 Days into their expedition, the team searching for Amelia Earhart’s missing plane is battling severe weather — and racing to identify a mysterious object that could finally solve the aviator's disappearance. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 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

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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 27 Oct. 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
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