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

The fire department’s 2018-19 budget, originally forecast at $11.2 million, was reduced slightly, to $11.77 million. — Karen Pearlman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "La Mesa gives update on two-year budget, new expenses cited," 19 June 2018 Mnuchin also forecast a doubling in sales of U.S. energy products to the Chinese market, increasing energy exports by $50 billion to $60 billion in the next three years to five years. — Washington Post, "Trump pulls back from brink of trade war with China," 23 May 2018 The companies, which also forecast increasing imports from China and Russia, argue the shrinking market share of U.S. suppliers is a threat to national security, since the U.S. stockpiles uranium for defense purposes. — Rhiannon Hoyle, WSJ, "Uranium Loses Power as U.S. Miners Seek Protection," 4 May 2018 The data reveals that Ghana, which was previously forecast as the fastest growing economy in Sub-Saharan Africa in October 2017, at 8.9%, slowed in its predicted growth to 6.4%. — Chris Giles, CNN, "Ethiopia is now Africa's fastest growing economy," 24 Apr. 2018 Ducey's new plan relies on a variety of fund sweeps and policy changes, but 83 percent of the $648 million plan for raises would come from state revenue, which the Governor's Office expects to increase faster than previously forecast. — Richard Ruelas, azcentral, "Economists: Arizona's fortunes are growing, but Ducey's teacher pay plan on shaky ground," 20 Apr. 2018 Tillerson’s exit also forecast trouble for McMaster, who had aligned himself with the embattled secretary of state in seeking to soften some of Trump’s most dramatic foreign policy impulses. — Time, "H.R. McMaster Resigns. John Bolton Named Trump's New National Security Advisor," 22 Mar. 2018 When compared with official influenza surveillance systems, the researchers said, the model accurately forecast the evolution of influenza up to six weeks in advance, much earlier than prior models. — Cathie Anderson, sacbee, "How tech used to track the flu could change the game for public health response | The Sacramento Bee," 4 Mar. 2018 Facebook is losing young users at an even faster clip to Snapchat than previously forecast, according to new research from eMarketer. — Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY, "Streaming Wars takes another from broadcast TV," 17 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Earnings for this year will be slightly below the bottom end of analyst forecasts, the company said. — Laurence Fletcher, WSJ, "TP ICAP Shares Slide as Costs Spiral, CEO Departs," 10 July 2018 Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda, a member of the country's ruling military junta, said Tuesday that the boys may need to swim out using diving equipment ahead of bad weather forecast for later in the week. — Tassanee Vejpongsa, chicagotribune.com, "Thai official: Boys may have to dive from cave despite peril," 3 July 2018 Here's a look ahead to your 4th of July forecast across the country: Janice Dean currently serves as senior meteorologist for FOX News Channel (FNC). — Janice Dean, Fox News, "Dangerous Heat continues this week," 2 July 2018 Legal immigration produced the bulk of America’s demographic changes over the past half-century — and is poised to produce virtually all of those forecast for the coming decades. — Eric Leivtz, Daily Intelligencer, "For Democrats, Immigration Is a Political Problem Without a Policy Solution," 2 July 2018 It can be seen most clearly in another of Torvik's calculations, as his 2018-19 RPI forecast has KU at No. 1 ... with no other team particularly close. — Jesse Newell, kansascity, "How KU basketball won the scheduling game ... again," 29 June 2018 Two dozen beaches across the state are closed or have contamination advisories because of elevated bacteria levels ahead of a scorching hot weekend forecast for metro Detroit. — Ann Zaniewski, Detroit Free Press, "Summer bummer: 24 beaches in Michigan closed or contaminated," 28 June 2018 The board felt this was important for staying on our five-year financial forecast. — Susan Demar Lafferty, Daily Southtown, "Lincoln-Way board votes to keep superintendent at least 5 more years, approves contract with teachers union," 28 June 2018 In a statement on Thursday, Goldman said its own of forecasts of how its capital levels would fare during downturns came up with different results than the Fed. — Matt Phillips, New York Times, "Biggest Banks Pass Fed’s Stress Tests," 21 June 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.