Expedition
noun /ˌɛkspɪˈdɪʃən/ — A journey undertaken with a purpose — organized, intentional, and pointed toward discovery.
Definition
A journey or voyage undertaken by a group of people with a particular purpose, especially exploration, research, or an organized adventure.
Beyond the definition
The word expedition raises the stakes of travel — it is not a trip or a holiday but a deliberate movement toward something. The expedition has a goal. The people on it have accepted difficulty as part of the arrangement.
Origin & history
From Latin expeditio — a military campaign (from expedire: to free the feet, to set out). Originally: soldiers freed from impediment and sent forward. The image is of feet unshackled, ready to move.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The expedition took three months to plan and three weeks to complete — the ratio felt about right.
She treated every trip to an unfamiliar neighbourhood as an expedition: a map, a notebook, no particular agenda.
The word expedition carries a weight that 'trip' never will — it implies that what you'll find matters.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Expedition” when the meaning fits your context: A journey or voyage undertaken by a group of people with a particular purpose, especially exploration, research, or an organized adventure.
Synonyms
journey, voyage, mission, quest, excursion, venture
Antonyms
stay, homecoming, retreat
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Walking alone on mountain ridge
An adult walks along a high, narrow mountain ridge path, carrying a simple wooden staff, with a vast valley below.
The journey along the mountain path is an intentional, purposeful endeavor. Even as a solitary traveler, the act of crossing challenging terrain reflects the spirit of exploration and discovery.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Expedition" mean?
Expedition is noun meaning: A journey undertaken with a purpose — organized, intentional, and pointed toward discovery.. A journey or voyage undertaken by a group of people with a particular purpose, especially exploration, research, or an organized adventure.
Where does the word "Expedition" come from?
From Latin expeditio — a military campaign (from expedire: to free the feet, to set out). Originally: soldiers freed from impediment and sent forward. The image is of feet unshackled, ready to move.