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

For those of us who love our backyards, that’s not such a bad prognostication. —Stephanie Pearson, WIRED, 31 May 2021

There was no mention in the study of whether the finger was used to perform any type of invasive prognostication. —New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2024

Richman’s name has cropped up in prognostications regarding February’s Grammy Awards, particularly as a contender for best new artist. —Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024

Once again, this stands in contrast to the prognostications of some cynics. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, TIME, 23 Sep. 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

Kids Definition

prognostication

noun

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

: forecast entry 2