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

Week 11 picks: This is where USA TODAY Sports' panel of experts has provided fans with the great public service of making prognostications for every game this weekend, both straight up and against the spread. —Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024

The specific prognostications may vary — the precogs can disagree among themselves — but there remains something essentially supernatural about their abilities. —Sam Worley, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025

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

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