1. To realize beforehand; to look forward to: "Anticipating that a shortage of wheat would cause a rise in price, the family bought extra amounts of flour."
2. To expect; to look forward to; to be sure of: "Sabina anticipated a favorable decision."
3. To perform an action before another person has had time to act.
4. To answer a question, to obey a command, or to satisfy a request before it is made: "Todd anticipated the orders issued by the court."
5. To nullify, to prevent, or to forestall by taking countermeasures in advance: "The citizens were anticipating a military attack."
6. To consider or mention before the proper time: "The speaker was anticipating more difficult questions."
7. To be before (another) in doing, thinking, achieving, etc.: "Many modern inventions were anticipated by Leonardo da Vinci."
8. To pay money before it is due.
9. To think, speak, act, or to feel an emotional response in advance.

A wide range of applications for nanotechnology is anticipated.