foreseeable

adjective

fore·​see·​able fȯr-ˈsē-ə-bəl 

1

: being such as may be reasonably anticipated

foreseeable problems

foreseeable consequences

2

: lying within the range for which forecasts are possible

in the foreseeable future

foreseeability

fȯr-ˌsē-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

Examples of foreseeable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As the demand for electricity continues to increase for the foreseeable future, and considering that California has the highest electric rates in the nation, investment in nuclear fusion is a no-brainer. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025

If Upper Basin states had accepted Arizona’s own proposal for sharing the Colorado River, Arizona would still take sizable cuts in its water use for the foreseeable future. —Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025

What Happens Next Mamdani is set to take office on January 1, 2026, with immigration enforcement efforts likely to continue in NYC for the foreseeable future. —Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

Marshall was the focal point of Michigan’s offense, and that’s likely to be the case for the foreseeable future. —Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing foreseeable

• in/for the foreseeable future

Rhymes for foreseeable

• agreeable
• disagreeable
• unenviable
• unforeseeable
• friable

Legal Definition

foreseeable

adjective

fore·​see·​able fōr-ˈsē-ə-bəl 

: such as reasonably can or should be anticipated : such that a person of ordinary prudence would expect to occur or exist under the circumstances

a foreseeable risk

the foreseeable expenses

a foreseeable plaintiff

foreseeably adverb