1 prediction | Definition of prediction

prediction

noun
pre·​dic·​tion | \ pri-ˈdik-shÉ™n How to pronounce prediction (audio) \

Definition of prediction

1 : an act of predicting
2 : something that is predicted : forecast

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Examples of prediction in a Sentence

Journalists have begun making predictions about the winner of the coming election. Despite predictions that the store would fail, it has done very well. The figures and statistics are used for the prediction of future economic trends.
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Recent Examples on the Web

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says that although the official forecast does not show Dorian making landfall in Florida, the hurricane could deviate from that prediction and move very near or over the coast. Washington Post, "The Latest: Dorian, stationary, continues assault of Bahamas," 3 Sep. 2019 Research since 2017 has borne out such predictions, with larger, wetter and more destructive hurricanes occurring almost annually. Thomas Frank, Scientific American, "Dorian Drives Home Warnings of Climate Influence on Hurricanes," 3 Sep. 2019 Early picks and predictions for the game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale weigh in. Jeremy Cluff, azcentral, "Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions picks, predictions: Who wins Week 1 NFL game?," 2 Sep. 2019 Perhaps the most successful prediction engine of the Big Data era, at least in financial terms, is the Amazon recommendation algorithm. Hannah Fry, The New Yorker, "What Statistics Can and Can’t Tell Us About Ourselves," 2 Sep. 2019 Next, read this month’s Aries horoscope predictions. Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "Each Zodiac Sign's Unique Personality Traits, Explained by an Astrologer," 31 Aug. 2019 Week One’s predictions include the performances of quarterback Justin Fields, running back J.K Dobbins and everybody on the defensive line not named Chase Young. Stephen Means, cleveland.com, "Ohio State-Florida Atlantic Outrageous Predictions: J.K. Dobbins starts fast, Justin Fields’ stats and the defensive line," 29 Aug. 2019 The Farmer's Almanac is predicting a cold and snowy winter again, and that prediction is predictably making its way around the Internet. Rollin Bishop, Popular Mechanics, "Don't Trust the Farmer's Almanac for Weather Predictions," 28 Aug. 2019 That prediction turned out to be overly optimistic. Jerry Fallstrom, orlandosentinel.com, "Tavares Police Department set to move into Public Safety Complex, with Fire Department relocating a week later," 20 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prediction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of prediction

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for prediction

prediction

noun

English Language Learners Definition of prediction

: a statement about what will happen or might happen in the future
: the act of saying what will happen in the future : the act of predicting something

prediction

noun
pre·​dic·​tion | \ pri-ˈdik-shÉ™n How to pronounce prediction (audio) \

Kids Definition of prediction

1 : an act of saying what will or might happen in the future prediction of earthquakes
2 : a statement about what will or might happen in the future a weather prediction

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