prognostication

UK: /prɒgˌnɒstɪˈkeɪʃən/

US: /prɑgˌnɑstɪˈkeɪʃən/

US: (prog nos′ti kā′shən)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

prog•nos•ti•ca•tion  (prog nos′ti kā′shən), n. 

1. the act of prognosticating.
2. a forecast or prediction.

• Medieval Latin prognōsticātiōn- (stem of prognōsticātiō). See prognosticate, -ion
• Middle English pronosticacion 1350–1400

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

prog•nos•ti•cate /prɑgˈnɑstɪˌkeɪt/   v. [~ + object] , -cat•ed, -cat•ing. 

1. to (make a) forecast on the basis of present signs or indications; prophesy:
   He prognosticates a complete recovery in less than a year.

prog•nos•ti•ca•tion /prɑgˌnɑstɪˈkeɪʃən/  n. 

[uncountable] the uselessness of empty prognostication.

[countable] favorable prognostications.

prog•nos•ti•ca•tor, n. [countable] See -gnos-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

prog•nos•ti•cate  (prog nos′ti kāt′), v., -cat•ed, -cat•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to forecast or predict (something future) from present indications or signs; prophesy.
2. to foretoken;
   presage:
   birds prognosticating spring.

v.i. 

3. to make a forecast;
   prophesy.

• Medieval Latin prognōsticātus, past participle of prognōsticāre. See prognostic, -ate¹
• late Middle English 1375–1425

prog•nos′ti•ca′tive, prog•nos•ti•ca•to•ry  (prog nos′ti kə tôr′ē, -tōr′ē), adj.  prog•nos′ti•ca′tor, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. foretell, foresee, project.