prospect

noun

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pros·pect | \ ˈprä-ˌspekt

Definition of prospect

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : exposure sense 3b

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

in prospect

: possible or likely for the future

prospect

verb

pros·pect | \ ˈprä-ˌspekt

, chiefly British prə-ˈspekt \

prospected; prospecting; prospects

Definition of prospect (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to explore an area especially for mineral deposits

transitive verb

: to inspect (a region) for mineral deposits broadly : explore

Other Words from prospect Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about prospect

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Synonyms for prospect

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Verb

Choose the Right Synonym for prospect

Noun

prospect, outlook, anticipation, foretaste mean an advance realization of something to come. prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern. the prospect of a quiet weekend outlook suggests a forecasting of the future. a favorable outlook for the economy anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen. the anticipation of her arrival foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming. the frost was a foretaste of winter

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 McCullough, who attends Bloomington South, is IU’s second verbal pledge for the class, following Georgia edge-rushing prospect Denzel Moore. — Jon Blau, The Indianapolis Star, "2023 four-star recruit Daeh McCullough commits to IU football," 14 Apr. 2021 If the Ravens can afford to take on a more developmental prospect next season, the 6-5, 313-pound Hudson might prove worth the wait. — Jonas Shaffer, baltimoresun.com, "Ravens draft preview: Why a highly rated ILB, blocking TE and versatile RB could be surprise picks," 14 Apr. 2021 Entries include Olympia football prospect Victor Jones and his teammate, De’Andre Robinson, the area discus leader with a 149-3 throw. — Buddy Collings, orlandosentinel.com, "Evans, Timber Creek, Bishop Moore teams to watch in district track," 14 Apr. 2021 Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock was once considered likely to be nominated for the job permanently, but that prospect has been clouded by Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.) and other senators calling on President Biden to bring in new FDA leadership. — Thomas M. Burton, WSJ, "White House Expands List of Potential FDA Commissioners," 14 Apr. 2021 National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming rates McAdoo a 4-star prospect. — Richard Davenport, Arkansas Online, "McAdoo reopens his recruitment," 13 Apr. 2021 But the prospect that someone could recognize him should still give you pause. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, "Welcome (Back) to Depresh Mode," 13 Apr. 2021 The running back came to Ohio State in 2020 to contend for a national championship and rejuvenate his NFL Draft prospect status. — Nathan Baird, cleveland, "Will Trey Sermon pick up in the NFL where he left off for Ohio State?," 13 Apr. 2021 But Biden simultaneously faces the prospect that almost all of his legislative initiatives revolving around social, cultural and racial equity issues, from immigration to gun control and LGBTQ rights, could die in the Senate. — Ronald Brownstein, CNN, "Why Biden is making more progress on economic than social issues," 13 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb If production at the position continues to lag, the club could turn to prospect Daulton Varsho, who will open the season in the minors. — Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, "Breaking down the 2021 Arizona Diamondbacks," 28 Mar. 2021 Left-hander Matthew Boyd started for the Tigers and went four innings before giving way to prospect Matt Manning. — Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers' young arms stand out in 4-0 loss to Toronto Blue Jays in spring training," 15 Mar. 2021 In the seventh, prospect Kody Clemens plated two runs with a triple to center, and Hill added an RBI single. — Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, "Michael Fulmer crushed, Tarik Skubal strong in Detroit Tigers' 10-6 loss to Blue Jays," 11 Mar. 2021 Scary thing is, the team still has money and prospect capital to burn, even after guaranteeing Fernando Tatis Jr. $340 million and acquiring Yu Darvish and Blake Snell. — Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, "Is your MLB team in it to win it? Here's 2021's tankers, dreamers and legit World Series contenders," 9 Mar. 2021 The Stars also have veterans Taylor Fedun and Joel Hanley to call on, or prospect Thomas Harley. — Matthew Defranks, Dallas News, "Stephen Johns, LTIR, and options for the Dallas Stars if the defenseman doesn’t play this season," 30 Dec. 2020 Nuñez began 2020 as the No. 18 Mets prospect in MLB Pipeline, which is published by MLB.com, and 25th in Baseball America's 2020 midseason ranking. — Henry Schulman, SFChronicle.com, "Giants pluck right-handed starter Dedniel Nuñez from Mets in Rule 5 draft," 10 Dec. 2020 Brimming with confidence and health, Detroit Red Wings prospect Jonatan Berggren is having quite a season in the Swedish Hockey League. — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Red Wings' Jonatan Berggren tearing up Swedish League; 'game is in slow motion'," 17 Nov. 2020 The Rangers eventually turned to prospect Leody Taveras, who impressed them enough to be seen as a potential 2021 starter. — Evan Grant, Dallas News, "Why the Rangers didn’t tender a contract to 2019 team MVP Danny Santana," 2 Dec. 2020

These 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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Last Updated

16 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Prospect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prospect. Accessed 21 Apr. 2021.

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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

pros·pect | \ ˈprä-ˌspekt

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

verb

prospected; prospecting

Kids Definition of prospect (Entry 2 of 2)

: to explore especially for mineral deposits

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