prospect
noun
\
Definition of prospect
(Entry 1 of 2)
2a(1) : an extensive view
(2) : a mental consideration : survey
b : a place that commands an extensive view : lookout
c : something extended to the view : scene
d archaic : a sketch or picture of a scene
3 obsolete : aspect
4a : the act of looking forward : anticipation
b : a mental picture of something to come : vision
c : something that is awaited or expected : possibility
d prospects plural
(1) : financial expectations
(2) : chances
5 : a place showing signs of containing a mineral deposit
6a : a potential buyer or customer
b : a likely candidate for a job or position
: possible or likely for the future
prospect
verb
chiefly British prə-ˈspekt\
Definition of prospect (Entry 2 of 2)
: to explore an area especially for mineral deposits
: to inspect (a region) for mineral deposits broadly : explore
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Other Words from prospect
Verb
prə-ˈspek-
\
noun
Synonyms & Antonyms for prospect
Synonyms: Noun
applicant, applier, aspirant, campaigner, candidate, contender, expectant, hopeful, seeker
Synonyms: Verb
Antonyms: Noun
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Examples of prospect in a Sentence
Noun
the frightening prospect of going to war She is excited by the prospect of returning to school. Bankruptcy is an unlikely prospect for the company. There was no prospect that the two parties would reach an agreement anytime soon. a young baseball player who's considered a top prospect We haven't decided which car to buy yet. We're still looking at a few prospects.Verb
soon all manner of people had arrived in the valley to prospect it for gold
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Samsung BioLogics’ assets ballooned, ultimately helping sweeten the prospects of a controversial 2015 merger between two other Samsung affiliates, according to investors and corporate governance advocates. — Timothy W. Martin, WSJ, "South Korea Regulator Says Samsung BioLogics Violated Accounting Rules," 12 July 2018 As the entire island wades through bankruptcy proceedings, many regular Puerto Ricans, including low-level public employees, face the prospect of seeing pension payouts, Christmas bonuses and even sick and vacation days slashed. — Fortune, "Puerto Rico's Bankrupt Utility Has No Leader After Pay Scandal," 12 July 2018 The Handmaid’s Tale dangled the prospect of freedom in front of viewers, only to snatch it away. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "A Maddening Season Finale for The Handmaid’s Tale," 11 July 2018 Going to extra time raises the prospect that England may have to play a penalty shootout. — Houston Chronicle, "England defeats Colombia on PKs to reach World Cup quarterfinals," 3 July 2018 Consider the controversial prospect of the government extending an opportunity for citizenship to undocumented immigrants. — Dan Rodricks, baltimoresun.com, "Rodricks: 10 ways to be a great American citizen for the Fourth of July," 3 July 2018 Adam Meier, secretary of the health cabinet, first mentioned the prospect of cutting benefits should the state lose a court challenge to the Medicaid overhaul last month at a legislative committee meeting. — Deborah Yetter, The Courier-Journal, "Dems decry Bevin cuts to Medicaid after judge strikes down his plan," 2 July 2018 All initiatives face the prospect of falling short of receiving enough signatures, though these sweeping measures long had seemed certain to qualify. — Michael Smolens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Why San Diego's marquee initiatives might not make the ballot," 29 June 2018 At one point, the travel ban case offered the prospect of something other than a 5-4 ruling. — Greg Stohr, Bloomberg.com, "On Trump, Supreme Court Is as Divided as the Rest of the Nation," 27 June 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Welcome to a post-holiday edition of the Detroit Tigers prospects mailbag. — George Sipple, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers prospects: Jacob Robson deserves to stay in Triple-A," 5 July 2018 Orioles prospects Ryan Mountcastle, a third baseman, and Alex Wells, a left-handed starting pitcher, have been selected to participate in this month’s All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park. — Eduardo A. Encina, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles prospects Mountcastle, Wells named to play in All-Star Futures Game," 6 July 2018 His success in prospecting for gold has been equally unorthodox. — Genesee Keevil, Popular Mechanics, "The Rush: What the World's Greatest Gold Prospector Knows," 17 May 2018 Photo: Richard Drew/Associated Press The NASA chief has advocated the White House position of cutting off direct federal funding for the international space station by 2025, but at this point prospects for that option appear dim on Capitol Hill. — Andy Pasztor, WSJ, "Donald Trump to Host Space-Policy Council Promoting Commercial Ventures," 16 June 2018 Vecino's agent is believed to have met with Inter this week amongst all the took of his prospected move. — SI.com, "Agent of Chelsea Target Matias Vecino Meets With Inter Officials to Discuss Contract Extension," 28 June 2018 The recipe is simple: Sun, salty water, seed bio-prospected from the ocean and fertilizer. — Lynn Brezosky, San Antonio Express-News, "Remote Texas algae farm grows a food for the future," 27 June 2018 ICOs occur when units of virtual currencies are made available to investors prospecting for a growth in the currency’s value. — Marco Santana, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Florida CFO: New position will oversee cryptocurrency," 26 June 2018 At least for the next week, top outfield prospects Austin Hays and DJ Stewart won't be part of that group. — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles outfield prospects Austin Hays, DJ Stewart land on disabled lists," 30 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prospect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for prospect
prospect
noun
English Language Learners Definition of prospect
(Entry 1 of 2)
: the possibility that something will happen in the future
: an opportunity for something to happen
: someone or something that is likely to succeed or to be chosen
prospect
verb
English Language Learners Definition of prospect (Entry 2 of 2)
: to search an area for gold, minerals, oil, etc.
See the full definition for prospect in the English Language Learners Dictionary
prospect
noun
\
Kids Definition of prospect
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : something that is waited for or expected : possibility … he was quite pleased at the prospect of a whole winter of reading travel books …— Richard and Florence Atwater, Mr. Popper's Penguins
2 : someone or something that is likely to be successful : a likely candidate a presidential prospect
3 : a wide view The room provides a prospect of sea and land.
prospect
verbKids Definition of prospect (Entry 2 of 2)
: to explore especially for mineral deposits
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