expectant

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​pec·​tant ik-ˈspek-tənt 

1

: characterized by expectation

2

: expecting the birth of a child

expectant mothers

expectantly adverb

expectant

2 of 2

noun

: one who is looking forward to something

Synonyms

Adjective

• agape
• agog
• anticipant
• anticipatory

Noun

• applicant
• applier
• aspirant
• campaigner
• candidate
• contender
• hopeful
• prospect
• seeker

Examples of expectant in a Sentence

Adjective

An expectant crowd waited for her arrival.

expectant crowds gathered at the spot where the President was scheduled to make an appearance

Noun

divinity students who were all expectants for a curacy

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Breastfeeding Happy Hour support group: Hosted by the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program at the Florida Department of Health in Osceola County for expectant and new moms. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025

When it was discovered that estrogen could be supplied not just by expectant women but by expectant horses, commercial production of the hormone took off. —Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025

Noun

But Samsung’s products are still good news for Micro LED expectants, Virey said. —Ars Technica, 12 Feb. 2025

The 29-year-old expectant mom joined her husband, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, for a picturesque sweet stroll in the autumn leaves. —Charna Flam, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1609, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing expectant

• expectant mother

Rhymes for expectant

• protectant
• disinfectant

Kids Definition

expectant

adjective

ex·​pect·​ant

ik-ˈspek-tənt

1

: characterized by or being in a state of expectation

2

: expecting the birth of a child

expectant mothers

expectantly adverb

Medical Definition

expectant

adjective

ex·​pec·​tant -tənt 

: expecting the birth of a child

expectant mothers