prognostication

noun

prog·​nos·​ti·​ca·​tion (ˌ)präg-ˌnä-stə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: an indication in advance : foretoken

2

a

: an act, the fact, or the power of prognosticating : forecast

b

: foreboding

Synonyms

• auguring
• augury
• bodement
• cast
• forecast
• forecasting
• foretelling
• predicting
• prediction
• presaging
• prognosis
• prognostic
• prognosticating
• prophecy
• prophesy
• soothsaying
• vaticination

Examples of prognostication in a Sentence

the complete fulfillment of his prognostication surprised even him

at the sight of the brooding mansion, her prognostications of ill fortune grew stronger

Recent Examples on the Web

While many will be watching the races as a potential prognostication for the Oscars, there are also several outliers nominated, including Hugh Grant for Heretic, Saoirse Ronan for The Outrun, and Jamie Lee Curtis for The Last Showgirl. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 15 Feb. 2025

There are countless examples of people in prison transforming in stark contrast to these judicial prognostications. —Steve Zeidman, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025

Your husband’s prognostication about weddings and children aren’t wish fulfillment so much as a reflection of his hope that your daughter is happy in life. —R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025

Topline Top strategists largely expect another year of strong returns for the U.S.’ leading S&P 500 stock index in 2025, according to early prognostications from major banks, a welcome bullish signal for investors already enjoying a historic bull market. —Derek Saul, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pronosticacioun, prognosticacyon "action of foretelling events, prediction, sign portending an event," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French pronosticacion, borrowed from Medieval Latin pronōsticātiōn-, pronōsticātiō (also with -g-) "forecast, prognosis," from prognōsticāre, pronōsticāre "to predict, forecast, portend" + Latin -tiōn-, tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at prognosticate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prognostication

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

prognostication

noun

prog·​nos·​ti·​ca·​tion (ˌ)präg-ˌnäs-tə-ˈkā-shən 

: forecast entry 2