prospect

noun pros·pect \ ˈprä-ˌspekt \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: prospect in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of prospect

1 : exposure 3b

2 a (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

4 a : 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

6 a : a potential buyer or customer

b : a likely candidate for a job or position

— in prospect

: possible or likely for the future

See prospect defined for English-language learners

See prospect defined for kids

Examples of prospect in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of prospect from the Web

And prospects of seeing a real-live NeverTrumper on Capitol Hill may soon be even slimmer.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Has Not Transformed the Republican Party – Yet," 14 June 2018
Because the prospect of a resume-boosting high test score and the concomitant college credit is a major incentive for taking AP World, fewer students may seek out the pre-AP course.

— alia wong, The Atlantic, "The Controversy Over Just How Much History AP World History Should Cover," 13 June 2018
That means discussing Celgene’s upcoming cancer data, Sarepta Therapeutics’ future in gene therapy, the gene-editing prospects for Sangamo Therapeutics, and the risks surrounding Esperion Therapeutics’ cholesterol drug.

— adam feuerstein, STAT, "What to watch for in biotech for the rest of 2018," 13 June 2018
Avocados ruin everything: Millennials’ financial prospects, proposals, the environment, and now, Joy Behar’s hand.

— madeleine aggeler, The Cut, "Joy Behar Injured in Bloody Avocado Accident," 12 June 2018
Word does get around, however, and the prospect of a meeting between Kim and Trump had already been on the public's radar.

— Bloomberg.com, "Isolated North Korean Public Mostly Unaware of Historic Trump-Kim Summit," 11 June 2018
Dunand, rated the Marlins’ No. 16 prospect overall by MLBPipeline.com, got a taste of the big leagues in the spring and has since continued to hit home runs with seven so far this season at Jupiter.

— andre c. fernandez, miamiherald, "Being related to a baseball icon is something this Marlins prospect handles like a pro," 11 June 2018
Microsoft and Nintendo's prospects are a bit more opaque, though.

— julie muncy, WIRED, "E3 Is Going to be a Weird One—But Don’t Hold Your Breath," 10 June 2018
The prospect was out of the high-A Clearwater’s lineup on Friday after being removed from Wednesday’s game…Jake Arrieta will start Saturday against lefthander Brent Suter, which likely presents a chance for Franco to play.

— matt breen, Philly.com, "Phillies have seemed to shift Maikel Franco to a reserve role," 8 June 2018

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.

Did You Know?

Since the Latin prefix pro- often means "forward", prospect refers to looking forward. The prospect of a recession may lead investors to pull their money out of the stock market. Graduates of a good law school usually have excellent prospects for finding employment. Prospective students roam campuses with their parents in the year before they plan to enter college.

Origin and Etymology of prospect

Middle English, from Latin prospectus view, prospect, from prospicere to look forward, exercise foresight, from pro- forward + specere to look — more at pro-, spy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

prospect Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of prospect

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.