predicted; predicting; predicts
: to declare or indicate in advance
especially
: foretell on the basis of observation, experience, or scientific reason
All the local forecasters are predicting rain for the weekend.
You can't predict the future.
: to make a prediction
Examples of predict in a Sentence
All the local forecasters are predicting rain for this afternoon.
She claims that she can predict future events.
It's hard to predict how the election will turn out.
Many people predicted that the store would fail, but it has done very well.
Sales are predicted to be the same as last year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Light rain was predicted for the Sacramento region starting Sunday morning ahead of a low pressure system coming ashore in the evening that was expected to bring heavier rain, isolated thunderstorms, wind and heavy snow.
—
Emilie Stigliani, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Rita Chaddad, a faculty member who teaches courses on tourism and hospitality management at Columbia Southern University, predicts that free breakfast will continue to be eliminated in the luxury brands but remain in some form elsewhere, though travelers should expect more changes to come.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
State leaders this year are predicting a flat budget.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoman, 15 Feb. 2026
The National Weather Service predicts highs could reach between 51 and 60 degrees in Milwaukee on Presidents' Day.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for predict
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Emilie Stigliani, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Rita Chaddad, a faculty member who teaches courses on tourism and hospitality management at Columbia Southern University, predicts that free breakfast will continue to be eliminated in the luxury brands but remain in some form elsewhere, though travelers should expect more changes to come.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026
State leaders this year are predicting a flat budget.
—Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoman, 15 Feb. 2026
The National Weather Service predicts highs could reach between 51 and 60 degrees in Milwaukee on Presidents' Day.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for predict
Cite this Entry
“Predict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predict. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
predict
verb
pre·dict
pri-ˈdikt 
: to declare in advance : foretell on the basis of observation, experience, or reasoning
predictably
adverb
-blē
Etymology
from Latin praedictus, past participle of praedicere "to predict, tell ahead of time," from prae- "pre-, earlier than, before" and dicere "to say" — related to dictate
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