forecast

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

|Updated on: 20 Jun 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

The economic growth, as measured by the gross domestic product, that the IMF is forecasting for this year would be the fastest pace since a similar gain in 2015.

— martin crutsinger, USA TODAY, "IMF: Tax cuts boosting US now but will hurt growth later," 14 June 2018
But other data released Wednesday forecast solid demand.

— benjamin parkin, WSJ, "U.S. Demand Boosts Oil Prices," 13 June 2018
An article on Wednesday about World Cup forecasts done by major banks worldwide misstated the name of the trophy given to the winner of the World Cup.

— New York Times, "Corrections: June 14, 2018," 13 June 2018
Expert predictions for the 2018 Tony Awards forecasted that the new installment of J.K. Rowling's blockbuster wizardry saga, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, was unbeatable for best play honors.

— lexy perez, The Hollywood Reporter, "Tonys: Andrew Garfield, Laurie Metcalf Among Hollywood Winners," 10 June 2018
It can be used to help forecast the impact that health interventions such as exercise, change in diet, or taking a statin or daily aspirin could have on cardiovascular risk.

— jen christensen, CNN, "Statin recommendations may change, especially for African-Americans," 4 June 2018
But, thankfully, atmospheric scientists have made huge strides in forecasting the path of storms, and how these storms might grow in a climate-changing world.

— brian resnick, Vox, "What we’ve learned about hurricanes since last year’s devastating season.," 31 May 2018
Get our daily newsletter The institute forecasts that summer temperatures in the Middle East and north Africa will rise over twice as fast as the global average.

— The Economist, "Climate change is making the Arab world more miserable," 31 May 2018
Central Florida’s flood watch is forecast through the Memorial Day weekend by the National Weather Service in Melbourne.

— roger simmons, OrlandoSentinel.com, "As Alberto moves north, Tropical Storm warning issued for part of Florida; Orlando in flood watch," 27 May 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.