speculation
noun
spec·u·la·tion
ˌspe-kyə-ˈlā-shən 
: an act or instance of speculating: such as
a
: assumption of unusual business risk in hopes of obtaining commensurate gain
b
: a transaction involving such speculation
Examples of speculation in a Sentence
He dismissed their theories as mere speculation.
The book is just a lot of idle speculation about the future.
Her speculations leave many questions unanswered.
He lost everything in foolish land speculation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Also set to attend are Sombr, Tate McCrae, Tessa Thompson, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, while speculation continues around the stars in Beyoncé's orbit, including husband Jay-Z, sister Solange and mom Tina Knowles.
—
Anika Reed, USA Today, 5 May 2026
Internal disputes in the Moscow elite are often subject to heavy speculation but rarely exposed.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
After Baldoni and Lively did not pose together on the red carpet at the film’s premiere that August, both internet speculation and behind-the-scenes maneuvering picked up quickly.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2026
The clips immediately went viral, sparking global speculation about what could have prompted such a violent altercation between the family members.
—Alyssa Modos, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for speculation
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Anika Reed, USA Today, 5 May 2026
Internal disputes in the Moscow elite are often subject to heavy speculation but rarely exposed.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
After Baldoni and Lively did not pose together on the red carpet at the film’s premiere that August, both internet speculation and behind-the-scenes maneuvering picked up quickly.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2026
The clips immediately went viral, sparking global speculation about what could have prompted such a violent altercation between the family members.
—Alyssa Modos, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for speculation
Cite this Entry
“Speculation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speculation. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
speculation
noun
spec·u·la·tion
ˌspek-yə-ˈlā-shən
1
: thoughts or guesses about something
much speculation about who the new teacher would be
2
: the taking of a big risk in business in hopes of making a big profit
Legal Definition
speculation
noun
spec·u·la·tion
ˌspe-kyə-ˈlā-shən
: an act or instance of speculating: as
a
: assumption of unusual business risk in hopes of obtaining commensurate gain
b
: a transaction involving such speculation
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