Expeditions: meaning, definitions and examples

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expeditions

[ˌek.spəˈdɪʃ.ənz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

adventure

Organized journeys with a specific purpose, especially those undertaken for exploration, scientific research, or military purposes.

Synonyms

journeys, missions, trips.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
expeditions	Used when referring to organized trips often for a specific purpose such as exploration, scientific research, or military operations. The team went on several expeditions to the Arctic to study climate change. He funded expeditions to uncharted islands to document rare species.
journeys	Appropriate for describing long trips, usually emphasizing the experience or transformation that occurs during the travel. It can be physical, emotional, or metaphorical. Her journey across the continent was both challenging and enlightening. His journey to self-discovery took many years.
trips	Generally used for shorter or more casual travel, often for leisure, business, or a specific short-term purpose. We took a trip to the beach last weekend. He made a trip to New York for a business meeting.
missions	Typically used in contexts involving a strong purpose, goal, or duty. Often associated with religious, military, or humanitarian efforts. The missionaries embarked on a mission to provide medical aid in the remote village. Their mission was to retrieve the confidential documents without being detected.

Examples of usage

The team embarked on a series of expeditions to uncover the mysteries of the deep sea.
The archeological expeditions uncovered ancient ruins in the jungle.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

exploration

Expeditions involve traveling to remote or unfamiliar areas to achieve a particular goal or discover new information.

Synonyms

adventures, explorations, voyages.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
expeditions	Expeditions usually refer to organized journeys with a specific purpose, such as research or exploration. These are often methodically planned and involve a group of people. The team prepared for their scientific expedition to Antarctica. He joined the polar expedition to document the effects of climate change.
explorations	Explorations focus on discovering new places, ideas, or things. This term is often used in scientific or historical contexts but can also apply to personal growth and discovery. The astronauts conducted explorations on the surface of Mars. Her explorations into ancient history revealed many fascinating facts.
voyages	Voyages typically refer to long journeys, especially by sea or in space. This term is often used in historical or literary contexts. The sailors embarked on a perilous voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Their voyage to the moon marked a significant achievement in space travel.
adventures	Adventures are typically associated with exciting, risky, and often pleasurable experiences. These can be less formal and more spontaneous compared to expeditions. They went on an adventure to explore the hidden caves. Her life is full of incredible adventures from around the world.

Examples of usage

The mountaineering expedition reached the summit of the unclimbed peak.
The polar expedition studied the effects of climate change on the ice caps.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

military

Military expeditions are operations conducted by armed forces to achieve specific objectives, such as capturing territory or eliminating threats.

Synonyms

campaigns, missions, operations.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
expeditions	Used when talking about journeys with a specific purpose, often related to exploration, scientific research, or adventure. The team set out on an expedition to the Arctic to study polar bears They planned an expedition to climb Mount Everest
campaigns	Mainly used in political, social, or military contexts when referring to organized efforts to achieve a particular goal. She led a campaign to raise awareness about climate change The military launched a campaign to liberate the occupied territory
missions	Refers to specific tasks or assignments, often related to religious, diplomatic, or military objectives. The astronauts embarked on a mission to the International Space Station The charity group went on a mission to aid victims of the earthquake
operations	Used in a broad range of contexts including military, business, and medical fields, referring to organized activities designed to achieve a set goal. The army carried out a covert operation to gather intelligence The company's new operation aimed to streamline production processes

Examples of usage

The military launched an expedition to neutralize the enemy stronghold.
Historically, military expeditions were used to expand empires.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The word comes from the Latin 'expeditio', meaning a journey or a readiness to act, showing that these trips have been planned for a long time.
In the 15th century, explorers like Christopher Columbus went on expeditions to discover new lands and trade routes.
The Age of Exploration in the 15th to 17th centuries was marked by many famous expeditions that changed the world map.

Pop Culture

Expeditions are popular in movies and books, with stories often revolving around treasure hunters or brave adventurers.
In video games, players often go on expeditions to complete quests and discover treasures, similar to real-life explorers.

Science

Scientific expeditions are crucial for understanding the natural world, such as those that explore the depths of the ocean or outer space.
The first scientific expedition to Antarctica was the British National Antarctic Expedition in 1901, which paved the way for future research in icy environments.

Education

Many schools organize expeditions as educational trips, allowing students to learn hands-on about history, nature, or science.
Educational expeditions often include field trips to museums or nature reserves where students can explore and learn in a real-world context.

Exploration Technology

Modern expeditions often use technology like GPS and drones to navigate and gather data in hard-to-reach locations.
Underwater drones are now used in oceanic expeditions to explore marine life without putting divers at risk.

Translations

Translations of the word "expeditions" in other languages:

🇵🇹 expedições

🇮🇳 अभियान

🇩🇪 Expeditionen

🇮🇩 ekspedisi

🇺🇦 експедиції

🇵🇱 ekspedycje

🇯🇵 探検

🇫🇷 expéditions

🇪🇸 expediciones

🇹🇷 seferler

🇰🇷 탐험

🇸🇦 بعثات استكشافية

🇨🇿 expedice

🇸🇰 expedície

🇨🇳 探险

🇸🇮 odprave

🇮🇸 leiðangrar

🇰🇿 экспедициялар

🇬🇪 ექსპედიციები

🇦🇿 ekspedisiyalar

🇲🇽 expediciones

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,149, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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10146 converter
10147 fluorescent
10148 fro
10149 expeditions
10150 nigh
10151 bury
10152 anomalous
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