speculation

UK: /ˌspɛkjʊˈleɪʃ^ən/ US: /ˌspɛkjəˈleɪʃən/ ,(spek′yə lā′shən)

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

spec•u•la•tion /ˌspɛkyəˈleɪʃən/  n. 

1. the act of speculating:
   [uncountable] Your prediction is nothing but pure speculation.
   [countable] The book was a collection of his speculations on how the universe works.
   [uncountable] encouraging speculation on the gold market.
   [countable] Their speculations don't always result in profits.
See -spec-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

spec•u•la•tion  (spek′yə lā′shən), n. 

1. the contemplation or consideration of some subject:
   to engage in speculation on humanity's ultimate destiny.
2. a single instance or process of consideration.
3. a conclusion or opinion reached by such contemplation:
   These speculations are impossible to verify.
4. conjectural consideration of a matter;
   conjecture or surmise:
   a report based on speculation rather than facts.
5. Business engagement in business transactions involving considerable risk but offering the chance of large gains, esp. trading in commodities, stocks, etc., in the hope of profit from changes in the market price.
6. Business a speculative commercial venture or undertaking.

• Late Latin speculātiōn- (stem of speculātiō) exploration, observation. See speculate, -ion
• Middle English speculacioun 1325–75

Synonyms

• 3. supposition, view, theory, hypothesis.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

speculation / ˌspɛkjʊˈleɪʃən/ noun

1. the act or an instance of speculating
2. a supposition, theory, or opinion arrived at through speculating
3. investment involving high risk but also the possibility of high profits