prognostication

noun

prog·​nos·​ti·​ca·​tion (ˌ)präg-ˌnä-stə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce prognostication (audio)
1
: an indication in advance : foretoken
2
a
: an act, the fact, or the power of prognosticating : forecast

Example Sentences

the complete fulfillment of his prognostication surprised even him at the sight of the brooding mansion, her prognostications of ill fortune grew stronger
Recent Examples on the Web Jalen Hurts’ Philadelphia Eagles will beat Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs by a two-touchdown margin in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, according to this year’s prognostication by EA Sports’ Madden NFL 23. Todd Spangler, Variety, 12 Feb. 2023 There will be a lot of back-and-forth, prognostication and apocalyptic talk over the next several months about whether and how the debt ceiling will be raised. Lanhee J. Chen, CNN, 3 Feb. 2023 But the Runnin’ Utes took that prognostication and sent it home in disgrace. Alex Vejar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Dec. 2022 Like its predecessor, this year’s game invites readers to compete against one another — and the Vulture staff — in a test of box-office foreknowledge and awards-season prognostication. Vulture Editors, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2022 Punxsutawney's famed groundhog Phil will instead make his prognostication via a video feed, according to a special committee of the Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. NBC news, 19 Nov. 2020 Punxsutawney's famed groundhog Phil will instead make his prognostication via a video feed, according to a special committee of the Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. NBC News, 19 Nov. 2020 Randall Oaks Zoo’s own Cedar the Groundhog made his first Groundhog Day prognostication on Thursday, calling for an early spring, while celebrity groundhogs like Punxsutawney Phil and Woodstock Willie predicted six more weeks of winter. Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2023 Unlike other prognostication websites, these predictions are based on Science! Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 1 Jan. 2012 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prognostication was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near prognostication

Cite this Entry

“Prognostication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prognostication. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

prognostication

noun
prog·​nos·​ti·​ca·​tion (ˌ)präg-ˌnäs-tə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce prognostication (audio)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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