forecast

verb

fore·cast | \ ˈfȯr-ˌkast;

fȯr-ˈkast\

forecast also forecasted; forecasting

Definition of forecast

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

forecast

noun

fore·cast | \ ˈfȯr-ˌkast

Definition of forecast (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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

Other Words from forecast Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about forecast

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Choose the Right Synonym for forecast

Verb

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

Illinois is forecasting a $1.2 billion deficit next year and has accrued $7.5 billion in unpaid bills despite a $5 billion income and corporate tax hike in 2017. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "The Blue State Challenge," 24 Dec. 2018 The National Weather Service is forecasting a shift in the weather Wednesday to rain, wind and snow in the mountain passes by Friday. — Michelle Baruchman, The Seattle Times, "The best times to travel during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend to avoid the worst traffic congestion," 20 Nov. 2018 Meteorologists are forecasting that 50 inches of rain may fall in some areas when this is all said and done. — Brian Resnick, Vox, "Hurricane Florence catastrophic flooding, rescues, and deaths: what we know," 14 Sep. 2018 The southwest jog As recently as Monday morning, hurricane models were forecasting a fairly conventional landfall for Florence, bringing the storm to the coast before bringing it slowly inland on a generally northwestward track. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, "The Hurricane Florence forecast has gone from bad to worse," 12 Sep. 2018 At its latest policy meeting, the Fed revised its 2019 gross domestic product growth forecast down to a 2.3% annual pace from 2.5%. — Sharon Nunn, WSJ, "U.S. Consumer Confidence Fades in December," 27 Dec. 2018 The National Weather Service will continue forecasting operations during the government shutdown. — Joseph O’sullivan, The Seattle Times, "Bald-eagle watching canceled, TSA employees at Sea-Tac Airport working on delayed pay. Federal government closure hits Washington," 24 Dec. 2018 Future supply exceeds forecast demand most in cities including Seattle, Charlotte, Dallas and St. Louis. — Ely Portillo, charlotteobserver, "Boom to bust? Charlotte's at risk of building too many apartments, new study says," 6 July 2018 Drier weather is forecast from Tuesday, raising hopes that water levels will fall, Cologne’s flood protection authority said. — Robert Avery, Houston Chronicle, "Yankees finish 14-0 record with Mustang City Championship," 22 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

As a result of missing expectations, Vail slashed its full-year guidance for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to below the low end of the $718 million to $750 million it forecast in September. — Kimberly Chin And, WSJ, "Vail Resorts Says Ski Bookings Were Light in Early December," 11 Jan. 2019 County emergency management officials said on their Facebook page that the Waccamaw River should crest at record levels Saturday but will be well below the destructive forecasts from earlier in the week. — Fox News, "Flooding in Florence's final stand not as bad as feared," 28 Sep. 2018 Here are the most pragmatically cool pieces to wear now, no matter the forecast. — Brooke Bobb, Vogue, "The Best Fall Jackets, Straight From the Streets at New York Fashion Week," 14 Sep. 2018 The forecast may also help the team argue its case for extending the mission beyond the initial two-year mandate. — Meghan Bartels, Space.com, "New NASA Planet Hunter May Find 10,000 Alien Worlds in Just Two Years," 8 Aug. 2018 Move your turmeric outside once all chance of frost is past, when the forecast shows only warm nights ahead. — Jean Nick, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Your Own Turmeric Indoors," 22 July 2018 The forecast didn’t disappoint, but the young activists who took the streets didn’t either. — Kristen Doerer, Teen Vogue, "Youth Climate Change Activists Marched on Washington, D.C.," 22 July 2018 The latest forecast from the US Energy Information Administration predicts that US output will grow next year to 11.8 million barrels a day. — David Koenig, The Christian Science Monitor, "US expected to surpass Saudi Arabia, Russia as world's top oil producer," 12 July 2018 Elements that Amtrak studies include switches, the type of territory, the number of grade-level crossings, construction equipment along the track and the weather forecast, Meko said. — Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, "Railroads have improved safety since fatal S.C. collision, Amtrak and CSX officials say," 10 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.