speculation

noun

spec·​u·​la·​tion ˌspe-kyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce speculation (audio)
: an act or instance of speculating: such as
a
: assumption of unusual business risk in hopes of obtaining commensurate gain
b
: a transaction involving such speculation

Examples of speculation in a Sentence

He dismissed their theories as mere speculation. The book is just a lot of idle speculation about the future. Her speculations leave many questions unanswered. He lost everything in foolish land speculation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There’s speculation that the forthcoming Metroid Prime 4 might straddle both consoles the way Breath of the Wild launched on both the Wii U and the Switch back in 2017. Ash Parrish, The Verge, 16 Jan. 2025 In the summer, Wolff met with Verstappen’s father, Jos, and the driver’s manager Raymond Vermeulen, fuelling speculation the Silver Arrows were working on a deal. Dan Cancian, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 The console's unveiling, made in a YouTube video, comes after growing speculation this week from die-hard fans that a release was coming and has been anticipated by an industry that has hit by mass layoffs and an ongoing strike from the video game performer community. Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025 Of course, this is all speculation until Nintendo confirms more details about the new Switch. Will Greenwald, PCMAG, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for speculation 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of speculation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near speculation

Cite this Entry

“Speculation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speculation. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

speculation

noun
spec·​u·​la·​tion ˌspek-yə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce speculation (audio)
1
: thoughts or guesses about something
much speculation about who the new teacher would be
2
: the taking of a big risk in business in hopes of making a big profit

Legal Definition

speculation

noun
spec·​u·​la·​tion ˌspe-kyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce speculation (audio)
: an act or instance of speculating: as
a
: assumption of unusual business risk in hopes of obtaining commensurate gain
b
: a transaction involving such speculation

More from Merriam-Webster on speculation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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