Expedition: meaning, definitions and examples

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expedition

 

[ ˌɛkspɪˈdɪʃ(ə)n ]

Context #1 | Noun

journey

An expedition is a journey undertaken by a group of people with a particular purpose, especially that of exploration, scientific research, or war.

Synonyms

journey, mission, voyage.

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Word Description / Examples
expedition

Used when referring to a group trip with a specific purpose or aim, often scientific or exploratory.

  • The botanical expedition to the Amazon rainforest discovered several new plant species
journey

General term for traveling from one place to another, often long and sometimes difficult.

  • Her journey across the country took several days, but it was worth it for the beautiful scenery
voyage

Specifically used for long trips, especially by sea or in space.

  • Their voyage across the Atlantic Ocean was filled with both calm and stormy weather
  • The astronaut's voyage into space lasted six months
mission

Refers to a trip or task often with a specific goal or purpose, sometimes used in a religious, military, or space context.

  • The space mission aimed to gather data about Mars' atmosphere
  • The charity's mission was to provide clean drinking water to remote villages

Examples of usage

  • The expedition to the North Pole was a challenging and exciting adventure.
  • The archaeological expedition uncovered ancient artifacts buried deep underground.
  • The expedition to the remote mountain peak required months of preparation and training.
Context #2 | Noun

military

In military terms, an expedition is a military operation designed to achieve a specific objective, such as capturing a strategic location or eliminating a threat.

Synonyms

campaign, mission, operation.

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Word Description / Examples
expedition

Typically refers to a journey or voyage undertaken by a group of people with a particular purpose, especially exploration, research, or adventure.

  • The team prepared for their Arctic expedition.
  • They embarked on an expedition to discover new archaeological sites.
operation

Typically used in contexts involving organized activities directed towards a specific objective, often in military, surgical, or complex logistical tasks.

  • The military operation required careful planning.
  • The surgeon performed a critical operation on the patient.
campaign

Usually refers to a planned series of actions aimed at achieving a specific goal, often in the contexts of military, political, or commercial strategies.

  • The election campaign lasted for several months.
  • They launched a marketing campaign to promote the new product.
mission

Often used to describe a special assignment given to a person or group, which can be of military, diplomatic, humanitarian, or religious nature.

  • The rescue mission was a success.
  • She went on a mission to deliver food supplies to the remote village.

Examples of usage

  • The special forces conducted a covert expedition to rescue hostages behind enemy lines.
  • The naval expedition successfully intercepted the enemy's supply routes.
  • The expeditionary force was deployed to secure the border.
Context #3 | Noun

business

In business, an expedition refers to a trip or journey undertaken for commercial purposes, such as exploring new markets or conducting research.

Synonyms

business trip, exploration, research trip.

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Word Description / Examples
expedition

Used for a journey undertaken for a specific purpose, often of discovery or scientific research, typically over a long distance.

  • The team embarked on an expedition to the Arctic to study the melting glaciers.
  • He joined an expedition to find the lost city hidden in the Amazon rainforest.
business trip

Refers to travel undertaken for work-related purposes, usually for meetings, conferences, or site visits.

  • She went on a business trip to New York to attend a technology conference.
  • His business trip to London included several client meetings and site inspections.
exploration

Denotes the act of traveling through an unfamiliar area to learn about it, often for discovery or adventure.

  • Space agencies fund missions dedicated to the exploration of Mars.
  • Their exploration of the underwater caves revealed astonishing marine life.
research trip

Specifically used for trips made to gather data or conduct field studies, often academic or scientific in nature.

  • The professor organized a research trip to collect marine samples from the coral reefs.
  • He planned a research trip to study the effects of deforestation in the Amazon.

Examples of usage

  • The company organized an expedition to China to explore potential business opportunities.
  • The marketing team went on an expedition to gather consumer insights in different regions.
  • The expedition to the trade fair was a great success, resulting in new partnerships.

Translations

Translations of the word "expedition" in other languages:

🇵🇹 expedição

🇮🇳 अभियान

🇩🇪 Expedition

🇮🇩 ekspedisi

🇺🇦 експедиція

🇵🇱 ekspedycja

🇯🇵 探検 (たんけん)

🇫🇷 expédition

🇪🇸 expedición

🇹🇷 sefer

🇰🇷 원정

🇸🇦 حملة

🇨🇿 expedice

🇸🇰 expedícia

🇨🇳 探险 (tànxiǎn)

🇸🇮 ekspedicija

🇮🇸 leiðangur

🇰🇿 экспедиция

🇬🇪 ექსპედიცია

🇦🇿 ekspedisiya

🇲🇽 expedición

Etymology

The word 'expedition' originated from the Latin word 'expeditio', which means 'a journey or campaign'. It has been used in English since the 15th century to refer to organized journeys for various purposes. Expeditions have played a crucial role in history, from exploration and scientific discovery to military conquests and trade expeditions. The concept of expeditions continues to be relevant in modern times, with expeditions being conducted in fields ranging from adventure tourism to space exploration.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,116, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.