prognostic

noun prog·nos·tic \ präg-ˈnä-stik \

Updated on: 10 Mar 2018

Definition of prognostic

1 : something that foretells : portent

2 : prognostication, prophecy

Examples of prognostic in a Sentence

a prognostic of a global pandemic that turned out to be distressingly accurate

Recent Examples of prognostic from the Web

The prognostics became official after the 76ers rookie point guard was examined by Dr. Ben Kibler at the Medical Director of the Shoulder Center of Kentucky on Sunday.

— keith pompey, Philly.com, "Sixers' Markelle Fultz out indefinitely with scapular muscle imbalance, soreness in right shoulder," 29 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prognostic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of prognostic

Middle English pronostique, from Middle French, from Latin prognosticum, from Greek prognōstikon, from neuter of prognōstikos foretelling, from progignōskein

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

prognostic Synonyms

Synonyms

auguring, augury, bodement, cast, forecast, forecasting, foretelling, predicting, prediction, presaging, prognosis, prognostication, prophecy (also prophesy), soothsaying;

anticipation, foreknowledge;

foresight;

conjecture, guess, surmise;

prognostic

adjective

Definition of prognostic

: of, relating to, or serving as ground for prognostication or a prognosis

prognostic weather charts

favorable prognostic signs

See prognostic defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of prognostic from the Web

At another moment during role-play, Jacobsen stepped in when a doctor skipped over the section in the script where she was supposed to share prognostic information.

— melissa bailey, Washington Post, "Doctors Learn How To Talk To Patients About Dying," 12 Feb. 2018
People may use prognostic information for many non–health care decisions, including whether to take a vacation or how much money to save for retirement.

— ravi b. parikh, Slate Magazine, "Can a Machine Predict Your Death?," 13 Mar. 2017
But the Globes are not especially prognostic of what will happen on Oscar night.

— brooks barnes, New York Times, "Golden Globe Nominee Reactions DEC. 12, 2016," 12 Dec. 2016