forecast

1 of 2

verb

fore·​cast ˈfȯr-ˌkast How to pronounce forecast (audio)
fȯr-ˈkast
forecast also forecasted; forecasting

transitive verb

1
a
: to calculate or predict (some future event or condition) usually as a result of study and analysis of available pertinent data
The company is forecasting reduced profits.
especially : to predict (weather conditions) on the basis of correlated meteorological (see meteorology sense 1) observations
They're forecasting rain for this weekend.
b
: to indicate as likely to occur
Optimists are forecasting an immediate upswing in business.
2
: to serve as a forecast of : presage
Such events may forecast peace.

intransitive verb

: to calculate the future
if it turns out as I forecasted
forecastable adjective
forecaster noun

forecast

2 of 2

noun

fore·​cast ˈfȯr-ˌkast How to pronounce forecast (audio)
1
: a prophecy, estimate, or prediction of a future happening or condition
2
archaic : foresight of consequences and provision against them : forethought
Choose the Right Synonym for forecast

foretell, predict, forecast, prophesy, prognosticate mean to tell beforehand.

foretell applies to the telling of the coming of a future event by any procedure or any source of information.

seers foretold the calamity

predict commonly implies inference from facts or accepted laws of nature.

astronomers predicted an eclipse

forecast adds the implication of anticipating eventualities and differs from predict in being usually concerned with probabilities rather than certainties.

forecast snow

prophesy connotes inspired or mystic knowledge of the future especially as the fulfilling of divine threats or promises.

prophesying a new messiah

prognosticate is used less often than the other words; it may suggest learned or skilled interpretation, but more often it is simply a colorful substitute for predict or prophesy.

prognosticating the future

Examples of forecast in a Sentence

Verb They're forecasting rain for this weekend. The company is forecasting reduced profits. Experts forecast that the economy will slow in the coming months. Noun want to catch the weather forecast so I'll know what kind of clothes to pack for the trip tomorrow
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Mario Tama/Getty Images Considerably less snowfall was forecasted Sunday for the upper foothills of the West's sprawling mountain range, which runs farther inland into central and northern parts of California. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2024 Cities in the Bay Area were generally forecast to get between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain through Sunday. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024 Meteorologists are forecasting some areas of the region, including Lake Tahoe, to receive at least 12 feet of snow, or higher, as the system slowly moves through mountainous regions. Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2024 Snow was expected in some areas of the Panhandle on Thursday but was not forecast to be in places affected by the fire. Joe Sutton, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 But the technology has not caught on as fast as was forecast. Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Snow is forecast to accumulate between 2 to 4 feet at communities including Glenbrook, Incline Village, Stateline, Truckee and Tahoe City, with 4 to 8 feet of snow at elevations above 7,000 feet. Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2024 Highs are forecast to range from the mid-40s to near 50, which is a bit below average. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 Acuna forecast Regal will invest in around another 50 4DX and Screenx theaters in future years. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2024
Noun
Detailed Cincinnati weather forecast Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2024 Express forecast Today: Morning rain, partial p.m. clearing. Matt Rogers, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 How to stay safe during inclement weather The weather service advises residents check the forecast regularly to prepare for tornadoes. The Indianapolis Star, 5 Mar. 2024 Latest forecasts show a mostly cloudy Monday with a high temperature near 55 degrees. Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2024 The latest forecast puts the chances for a La Niña arriving by the heart of hurricane season at 75% or greater, Zierden said. USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 The daunting forecast wasn’t enough to dissuade some travelers from hitting the road during the worst conditions. Susannah Cullinane, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Snow continued to fall across the mountains on Sunday, with an additional 1 to 2 feet of snow forecast in areas above 4,000 feet elevation. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Area forecast offices were also warning of a high to extreme avalanche danger, with large to very large avalanches possible, especially in the backcountry. Kathryn Prociv, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'forecast.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1527, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of forecast was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near forecast

Cite this Entry

“Forecast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forecast. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

forecast

1 of 2 verb
fore·​cast ˈfō(ə)r-ˌkast How to pronounce forecast (audio)
ˈfȯ(ə)r-
forecast also forecasted; forecasting
: to calculate or predict (a future event or state) usually by study and examination of data
forecast the weather
forecaster noun

forecast

2 of 2 noun
: an estimate or prediction of a future happening or condition
weather forecasts

More from Merriam-Webster on forecast

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