forecast

verb fore·cast \ ˈfȯr-ˌkast ; fȯr-ˈkast \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of forecast

forecast also forecasted; forecasting

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 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

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forecastable

play \ˈfȯr-ˌka-stə-bəl\ adjective

—

forecaster

noun

See forecast defined for English-language learners

See forecast defined for kids

Examples of forecast in a Sentence

They're forecasting rain for this weekend.
The company is forecasting reduced profits.
Experts forecast that the economy will slow in the coming months.

Recent Examples of forecast from the Web

While policy makers forecasting four rate increases in 2018 remained short of a majority, that cohort of central bankers grew to seven in March from four in December.

— daniel kruger, WSJ, "Bond Investors Ask What’s Next as Yields Plateau," 30 Mar. 2018
Sunshine is expected Saturday, with mostly cloudy skies forecast Sunday.

— scott dance, baltimoresun.com, "Evening snow showers possible on Easter Sunday in the Baltimore region," 30 Mar. 2018
With daytime readings forecast to reach the mid- and upper 50s, Tuesday promises to be the first day to post a temperature surplus since March 19.

— tom skilling, chicagotribune.com, "Cold air poised to return after mild Tuesday," 27 Mar. 2018
While demand for the credits was initially forecast at slightly more than $1 billion last year, the Legislature budgeted just $75 million to pay them, based on minimum guidelines set in state law.

— nathaniel herz, Anchorage Daily News, "Oil companies in Alaska have applied for $800 million in cash. But lawmakers have been slow to advance the governor’s plan to pay them.," 25 Mar. 2018
The heaviest amounts fell to the north and west of the District, and the volume mounted as the storm moved on to Philadelphia, where up to 13 inches were expected, and New York, where as much as 18 inches were forecast.

— Washington Post, "The calendar says it’s spring but wintry weather says otherwise," 21 Mar. 2018
Though the storm was initially forecast to drop as much as a foot of snow in some areas, the nor’easter continued to weaken overnight and is now expected to leave behind approximately a coating to 2 inches in most of eastern Massachusetts.

— jaclyn reiss, BostonGlobe.com, "List of Boston-area school closures for Thursday," 21 Mar. 2018
That was especially true in Boston, which was forecast to get as much as 9 inches.

— Time, "Here's Why New York Was Spared the Worst of the Nor'easter," 8 Mar. 2018
The National Weather Service's Hannah Chandler said major roads in the Sierra Nevada can expect another 4 to 7 inches of snow, while an additional foot of snow is forecast for the higher mountain peaks.

— dale kasler and anthony sorci, sacbee, "Rain, hail return to Sacramento Valley; avalanche reported at Mammoth Mountain | The Sacramento Bee," 3 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'forecast.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of forecast

15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

forecast Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

forecast

noun fore·cast \ ˈfȯr-ˌkast \

Definition of forecast

1 archaic : foresight of consequences and provision against them : forethought

2 : a prophecy, estimate, or prediction of a future happening or condition

See forecast defined for English-language learners

Examples of forecast in a Sentence

want to catch the weather forecast so I'll know what kind of clothes to pack for the trip tomorrow

Recent Examples of forecast from the Web

Lawmakers will know more about the state’s financial situation later this month when state officials and researchers issue new forecasts of how much revenue Kansas will bring in over the coming months and years.

— hunter woodall and jonathan shorman, kansascity, "Kansas lawmakers approve $500 million for schools backed by Gov. Colyer | The Kansas City Star," 7 Apr. 2018
Vegas has earned 41 more points than Bovada’s forecast of 68.

— ross mckeon, San Francisco Chronicle, "Sharks’ playoff position to be settled Saturday," 6 Apr. 2018
Questions and answers What has changed about the forecast from Wednesday?

— jason samenow, Washington Post, "It still may snow Saturday, but a significant, record-setting event is very unlikely," 5 Apr. 2018
In the report, the company gave a bleak outlook for the current year, predicting that long-term earnings growth will be as little as 5 percent and twice that at best, compared with a forecast of as much as 15 percent previously.

— Bloomberg.com, "Misconduct Probe Makes Martin Sorrell's Grip on WPP Look Shaky," 5 Apr. 2018
This year’s hurricane season is shaping to be another big one with a greater than 60% chance of a major hurricane hitting the U.S. coastline, according to a new forecast from top meteorologists.

— justin worland, Time, "Forecasters Are Warning This Year's Hurricane Season Will Be Worse Than Usual," 5 Apr. 2018
There's a 30 percent chance of rain on Thursday, followed by a 40 percent chance of rain on Friday duuring the day and a 50 percent chance of rain-snow Friday night, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

— dwight adams, Indianapolis Star, "Indianapolis weather: It snowed today and looks like more snow is coming next week," 4 Apr. 2018
New York's opener against Houston at Yankee Stadium two years ago was postponed because of a forecast of bad weather and rescheduled for the following day.

— baltimoresun.com, "Mother Nature gets win as snow postpones Yankees' home opener," 2 Apr. 2018
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory beginning at 1 a.m. Tuesday for Washington, Ozaukee, Sheboygan and Fond du Lac counties with a forecast of 3 to 9 inches of snow from late Monday evening to 7 a.m. Wednesday.

— meg jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Rain/snow mix for Milwaukee on election day; up to 11 inches farther north in Wisconsin," 2 Apr. 2018