forecast

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

|Updated on: 18 Jul 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

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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

Revenue May Rise Revenue of $21.68 billion is forecast, down from the $22.17 billion reported in the year-earlier quarter.

— emily glazer, WSJ, "What to Expect from Wells Fargo’s Earnings," 12 July 2018
It's now forecast to reach the Lesser Antilles as a hurricane, then near Puerto Rico & Hispaniola.

— ben brasch, ajc, "Cobb County weekend weather and events: Expect rain," 7 July 2018
Extreme temperatures, some even hotter than that, have been forecast for the next few days in the Los Angeles area.

— michael mcgough and cassie dickman, sacbee, "Planning a weekend road trip? Heat and fires throughout California might make it tough," 6 July 2018
Sunshine and highs in the lower 80s are forecast for the weekend.

— scott dance, baltimoresun.com, "Heavy rain forecast Thursday night could cause flash flooding north, west of Baltimore," 5 July 2018
The second quarter is forecast to have the biggest jump in S&P 500 profits in almost eight years.

— tom hudson, miamiherald, "Earnings energy taxed by tariffs," 5 July 2018
Possible showers are forecast for the third day of the tournament, meaning all eyes will be focused on Centre Court, where its retractable roof will allow play to continue.

— Houston Chronicle, "Maria Sharapova falls in first round at Wimbledon," 3 July 2018
Underlying medical costs are forecast to go up around 6 percent next year, in line with recent increases, according to PwC’s Health Research Institute.

— reed abelson, New York Times, "Obamacare Is Proving Hard to Kill," 3 July 2018
Looking ahead, the week is forecasted to deliver high temperatures in the 90s, lows in the 70s and heat indices that climb past 100, notably on Wednesday (Independence Day) and Thursday.

— justin l. mack, Indianapolis Star, "Indianapolis weather: Heat advisory, isolated storms to start July," 1 July 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

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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.