expectation

n. hope, anticipation, longing or waiting for

In the case of uncertainty, expectation is what is considered the most likely to happen. An expectation, which is a belief that is centred on the future, may or may not be realistic. A less advantageous result gives rise to the emotion of disappointment. If something happens that is not at all expected it is a surprise. An expectation about the behavior or performance of another person, expressed to that person, may have the nature of a strong request, or an order.
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Noun
1. belief about (or mental picture of) the future
(synonym) outlook, prospect
(hypernym) belief
(hyponym) promise, hope
(derivation) ask, require, expect
2. wishing with confidence of fulfillment
(synonym) anticipation
(hypernym) hopefulness
(derivation) expect, look, await, wait
3. the feeling that something is about to happen
(hypernym) feeling
(hyponym) anticipation, expectancy
(derivation) expect, anticipate
4. the sum of the values of a random variable divided by the number of values
(synonym) arithmetic mean, first moment, expected value
(hypernym) mean, mean value
(classification) statistics

n. anticipation, expectation

(n.)
The value of any chance (as the prospect of prize or property) which depends upon some contingent event. Expectations are computed for or against the occurrence of the event.
  

(n.)
The prospect of the future; grounds upon which something excellent is expected to happen; prospect of anything good to come, esp. of property or rank.
  

(n.)
The leaving of the disease principally to the efforts of nature to effect a cure.
  

(n.)
The act or state of expecting or looking forward to an event as about to happen.
  

(n.)
That which is expected or looked for.