prognostication

noun

prog·​nos·​ti·​ca·​tion (ˌ)präg-ˌnä-stə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: an indication in advance : foretoken

2

a

: an act, the fact, or the power of prognosticating : forecast

b

: foreboding

Synonyms

• prediction
• forecasting
• forecast
• predicting
• prophecy

Examples of prognostication in a Sentence

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

Chelsea wants to defy the experts Captain Reece James felt his team could defy the odds and prognostications. —Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025

Wall Street’s longest-serving and most outspoken CEO does indeed have a long list of prognostications — 24 years of shareholder letters will do that — but his record is better than Bessent is giving him credit for. —Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 3 June 2025

The short-term pain might not yet be done for WSC shareholders, either; full-year 2025 could see both the top and bottom lines contract, if the experts’ prognostications are correct. —Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025

Their prediction stands in opposition to an earlier prognostication by Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay who saidhe expected Memorial Day, May 26, to the target for Stanton's return. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pronosticacioun, prognosticacyon "action of foretelling events, prediction, sign portending an event," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French pronosticacion, borrowed from Medieval Latin pronōsticātiōn-, pronōsticātiō (also with -g-) "forecast, prognosis," from prognōsticāre, pronōsticāre "to predict, forecast, portend" + Latin -tiōn-, tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at prognosticate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prognostication

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

prognostication

noun

prog·​nos·​ti·​ca·​tion (ˌ)präg-ˌnäs-tə-ˈkā-shən 

: forecast entry 2