expedition
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for expedition, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A journey made by a person or group for a specific purpose, such as exploration, research, or military action.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use expedition
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle French expédition, from Latin expeditio, "a setting free of the feet" — the same root that gives us "expedite."
Full origin of expedition →Frequently asked questions
What does “expedition” mean?
The word “expedition” means a journey made by a person or group for a specific purpose, such as exploration, research, or military action. In plain terms, a trip made for a clear purpose, often to a remote or challenging place, or the group of people doing it.
How do you pronounce “expedition”?
“Expedition” is pronounced ehks-puh-DIH-shuhn (/ɛkspəˈdɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “expedition” in a sentence?
Here is “expedition” used in a sentence: “The team set off on an expedition to map the unexplored valley.”
What part of speech is “expedition”?
“Expedition” is a noun.
Where does the word “expedition” come from?
The word “expedition” comes from Latin. From Middle French expédition, from Latin expeditio, "a setting free of the feet" — the same root that gives us "expedite.".
Is “expedition” a common word?
“Expedition” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “expedition” have?
“Expedition” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a journey made by a person or group for a specific purpose, such as exploration, research, or military action.
What is the difference between an expedition and a journey?
A journey is any act of travelling from one place to another, while an expedition is a journey undertaken for a specific purpose such as exploration, research, or military action. All expeditions are journeys, but not all journeys are expeditions.
What is the difference between an expedition and a trip?
A trip is a general, often short outing for business or pleasure, whereas an expedition implies a longer, organized undertaking with a defined goal, frequently into challenging or unfamiliar territory. Expeditions usually involve planning, equipment, and a team.
What verbs are commonly used with expedition?
You typically 'mount', 'lead', 'launch', 'organize', or 'go on' an expedition. 'Mount an expedition' and 'lead an expedition' are especially common collocations in writing about exploration and adventure.
Can expedition refer to people rather than a journey?
Yes. Besides meaning the journey itself, 'expedition' can refer to the group of people making the journey, as in 'the entire expedition reached the summit'. The meaning depends on context.