prediction

American  

[pri-dik-shuhn] / prɪˈdɪk ʃən /

noun

• predictions
  plural

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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• predictions
  plural

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

See Examples For:

prediction predictions

That’s 510,000 barrels a day more than its last monthly prediction in July, as elevated fuel prices are putting further downward pressure on oil use.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 16, 2026

Its big prediction: AI is on course to extend the dominance of fossil fuels.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

County could become among the first major election jurisdictions to implement guidance or policy related to prediction markets.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

Jim Allen, the elections director of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, which had already banned election workers from directly betting on elections, earlier this year added a ban on using prediction markets to do so.

From Salon ● Aug. 13, 2026

He made a prediction about my future that frightened me.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

"There were many theoretical predictions, but formal comparative tests across insects have been surprisingly rare."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 15, 2026

Having seen her worst predictions come to pass, she grabbed hold of the only future she was able to change: her own.

From Salon ● Aug. 12, 2026

Repeated heatwaves after a warmer than usual spring have led to predictions of the worst harvest since records began.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

The company attributed the decline to customer-friendly sport outcomes and increased investment in promotions to acquire customers for its sportsbook and predictions offerings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

They were predictions of what would happen in the future.

From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

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