forecast

verb

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fore·cast | \ ˈfȯr-ˌkast

; fȯr-ˈkast \

forecast also forecasted; forecasting

Definition of forecast

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

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

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

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

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 Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the index dipping to 64. — Washington Post, 14 May 2022 Analysts surveyed by FactSet had forecast $8.03 billion. — Sarah E. Needleman, WSJ, 10 May 2022 Wall Street had forecast earnings per share (EPS) of $2.63 on $758.05 million in revenue for AMC Networks’ Q1, according to consensus data provided by Refinitiv. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 5 May 2022 Storm Prediction Center has forecast the potential for severe storms for parts of Alabama both days, with Friday’s storm threat being more widespread. — Leigh Morgan, al, 4 May 2022 Management has forecast that the company would reach 20 to 25 million streaming subscribers by the end of 2025. — Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Apr. 2022 Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had forecast a 1% rise in GDP. — Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2022 Analysts surveyed by Refinitiv had forecast a core operating loss of just $399 million in the quarter. — Chris Isidore, CNN, 27 Apr. 2022 The Fed’s own Atlanta Fed District Bank’s GDP model has forecast Q1 real GDP at +1.3% and the market consensus centers around +1%. — Robert Barone, Forbes, 24 Apr. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Growth was slightly faster than European peer Danone and well ahead of the 4.4% forecast by analysts covering the stock. — Carol Ryan, WSJ, 28 Apr. 2022 Twitter's latest financial results show that the company grew its customer and advertiser base prior to Musk's unsolicited bid, although its revenue of $1.2 billion was slightly shy of analysts' forecast of $1.23 billion, according to Factset. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2022 This round of storms is expected to move out this morning, but storms may not be out of the forecast for long. — Leigh Morgan, al, 9 Mar. 2022 Temperatures were on the warm side of forecast today, with highs ranging mainly from the low to mid-50s. — Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2022 That was short of Wall Street's forecast of $1.38 billion, according to analysts polled by FactSet. — Dee-ann Durbin, Detroit Free Press, 1 Mar. 2022 Shell is staying conservative on capital spending, aiming at the lower end of the $23-27 billion range forecast for this year. — Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2022 With the release of the revenue forecast Wednesday, the work of the legislature’s budget-writers comes into sharper focus for the remaining four weeks of the 2022 session. — oregonlive, 9 Feb. 2022 The Weather Service office in Norman, Oklahoma, showed an additional 3 inches of snow forecast for Oklahoma City on Thursday, with surround regions possibly getting up to 4 to 6 inches. — Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2022 See More

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.