prediction

American  

[pri-dik-shuhn] / prɪˈdɪk ʃən /

noun

1. an act of predicting.

2. an instance of this; prophecy.

   Synonyms:

   projection, divination, prognostication, augury, forecast

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prediction British  

/ prɪˈdɪkʃən /

noun

1. the act of predicting

2. something predicted; a forecast, prophecy, etc

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Usage

What does prediction mean? A prediction is a statement about what someone thinks will happen in the future. People make predictions all the time. Some are very serious and are based on scientific calculations, but many are just guesses. Example: Here’s a prediction: in 20 years, we’ll all drive less and eat a lot less meat.

Etymology

Origin of prediction

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin praedictiōn-, stem of praedictiō “prophecy”; equivalent to predict + -ion

Explanation

I have a prediction: You’ll know what this word means by the time you finish reading this explanation. A prediction is what someone thinks will happen. A prediction is a forecast, but not only about the weather. Pre means “before” and diction has to do with talking. So a prediction is a statement about the future. It’s a guess, sometimes based on facts or evidence, but not always. A fortune teller makes a prediction using a crystal ball. A meteorologist uses maps and scientific data to tell us about the possibility of rain, snow or sunshine. And when I made the prediction that you would understand what this word meant, it was based on instinct, a gut feeling telling me what would happen next.

Example Sentences

Prediction markets indicate that the ruling Labour party could perform poorly at the elections, triggering a potential leadership contest for the prime minister role.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Temperatures in California are expected to be above average through mid-May, according to the Climate Prediction Center.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

Prediction markets are so prone to abuse that the alleged behavior in this case feels much more like a feature than a bug.

From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026

Prediction market Kalshi has a 93% chance that the bank actually cuts rates by a quarter of a percentage point.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Prediction in history, as in other historical sciences, is most feasible on large spatial scales and over long times, when the unique features of millions of small-scale brief events become averaged out.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• forecast
• forecasting
• guess
• indicator
• prognosis
• prophecy