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

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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 Working at what was then Piper Jaffray in the early 2000s, Munster was one of the first market analysts to forecast huge growth for Apple. — Evan Ramstad, Star Tribune, "Is Tesla worth a trillion dollars? You bet, says a Minnesota analyst," 8 Feb. 2021 With global innovation making future warfare difficult to forecast, innovation itself is the new battlefield, waged in every classroom, laboratory, business, and nation each day. — Dr. Will Roper, Popular Mechanics, "The Air Force Flew an AI Copilot on a U-2. Now, the Algorithm Has a New Mission.," 19 Jan. 2021 The timetable for these innovations is difficult to forecast, and deployment varies from carrier to carrier as older infrastructure ages out, Mr. Bieler said. — David Uberti, WSJ, "Nashville Bombing Exposes Weak Point for Business Communications," 28 Dec. 2020 Pantone’s ability to forecast color trends is a marketing force that helps furniture, textile, fashion, accessory and technology designers choose designs from season to season. — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, "The Pantone Colors of the Year for 2021 are Ultimate Gray and Illuminating," 9 Dec. 2020 Sabia replaces Paul Rochon, who announced his departure on Dec. 1, a day after Freeland used her first mini-budget to forecast a deficit of C$382 billion ($298 billion) this year, or 17.5% of gross domestic product. — Kait Bolongaro, Bloomberg.com, "Trudeau’s Finance Shake-Up Signals Full Steam Ahead on Spending," 8 Dec. 2020 Economists are notoriously reluctant to forecast a recession, and, in any case, no one has been through an experience like this pandemic. — Geoff Colvin, Fortune, "Why aren’t we in another Great Depression?," 6 Dec. 2020 The team of researchers used maps of low-cost and federally subsidized housing units and coupled them with flood projections to forecast how communities will be affected in the future, reports the Guardian. — Rasha Aridi, Smithsonian Magazine, "Affordable Housing Units Prone to Floods Could Triple by 2050," 3 Dec. 2020 Politicians have long understood that their ability to forecast the future—to be on the right side of history—is central to their legitimacy as decision makers. — Tom Mctague, The Atlantic, "The Myths That Bind Obama and Thatcher," 23 Nov. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Honeywell said the 12-hour shifts are expected to continue through the upcoming snowfall forecast to begin Tuesday night. — Arkansas Democrat-gazette, Arkansas Online, "Little Rock trash collection suspended for rest of week," 17 Feb. 2021 Though Wednesday is slated to be cold, Mitchell said northeast Ohioans will get a reprieve from the snow, with the forecast set to be cloudy and a bit of sun. — Cameron Fields, cleveland, "OH Weather: National Weather Service cancels winter storm warning for Northeast Ohio as snow trickles out," 16 Feb. 2021 The Twin Cities didn't reach a forecast record low of 25 below zero. — Tim Harlow, Star Tribune, "Persistent cold has no place in Twin Cities record books," 15 Feb. 2021 Stay up to date on the latest forecast from the NBC 5 Weather Experts. — Dallas News, "A new winter storm on the way," 15 Feb. 2021 This doesn’t mean the forecast can’t change from now until late Monday when this begins. — Dave Epsein, BostonGlobe.com, "Two storms this week will impact travel," 14 Feb. 2021 With its forecast revenues for the next year revised down by $250 million, its players’ salaries may soon account for as much as eighty cents of every dollar brought into the club. — New York Times, "Barcelona and the Crippling Cost of Success," 12 Feb. 2021 With rain and snow forecast for late Thursday and again Saturday in Yosemite, followed by clear weather, the prospects of the firefall event at Horsetail Fall is more likely to arrive the week of Feb. 15. — Tom Stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle, "How to capture this year's perfect photo of Yosemite's firefall, the stunning yet brief waterfall spectacle," 11 Feb. 2021 The forecast takes into account the South-Central region of the state, so some areas may see a wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow while other areas may not. — Taylor Pettaway, San Antonio Express-News, "UDPATE: Light freezing rain and sleet are possible for San Antonio tonight, NWS warns," 11 Feb. 2021

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.